Yeadon Borough Council votes to fire police chief after allegations of overspending
"We should be embarrassed. They should be embarrassed completely," said one council member after the vote.
YEADON, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- After weeks of controversy, the Yeadon Borough Council has voted to fire its current police chief.
In a heated 4-3 vote Thursday night, council members decided to fire Chief Anthony Paparo over allegations of "wage theft" that have reportedly cost the borough more than $380,000.
Paparo made a passionate plea for his job and explained any overage of hours that cost the borough money was spent on training part-time officers and protecting residents during the George Floyd unrest.
The chief, who is white, has previously stated that his job was on the line over his race.
The borough has a population of about 12,000 people: roughly 88% of residents are African American.
"When people say that they want a Black chief because it's a Black town, I didn't want to believe it," said Paparo in recent weeks.
SEE ALSO: Yeadon community meeting gets heated over future of police chief's job
Borough Council President Sharon Council-Harris said race was never the case.
"It was not based on race. It was not based on his color. It was based on whether he was qualified to take the job," said Council-Harris.
After the vote, Councilwoman Liana Roadcloud said, "We should be embarrassed. They should be embarrassed completely. I'm livid; I don't even know what else to say right now."
Harold Goodman, Paparo's attorney, said a lawsuit against the borough is imminent.
Paparo plans on continuing his duties, including teaching an active shooter course.
"I'm not the chief anymore, but I'll be there because I can't let go of the town. I can't desert them because they don't want me," said Paparo.
The council voted to make Lt. Shawn Burns interim police chief.
SEE ALSO: Yeadon police chief's job is in jeopardy. Is it over race or money?
