The man tapped to be Pittsburgh’s next police chief is responding to 'allegations' of harassment and a criminal investigation in Maryland.
Jason Lando resigned Thursday as police chief in Frederick.
Earlier this month, he was accused of sending disparaging text messages to former officer Daniel Sullivan.
The profane texts, reportedly traced to Lando’s home, were sent to former Frederick officerSullivan from multiple burner phones, calling Sullivan a "loser and a joke."
Lando tells KDKA Radio he did not harass Sullivan and says he asked to be left alone, claiming Sullivan had been harassing him.
At one point, Lando says Sullivan requested GPS information for his police cruiser. In a statement sent to KDKA Radio Lando says "law enforcement leaders are frequently criticized for failing to hold bad cops accountable. Unfortunately, doing the right this is rarely the easy thing, and sometimes comes with negative consequences."
Lando has been cleared of any wrongdoing by Maryland's state prosecutor, and tells me he has been the target of harassment himself after holding Sullivan accountable for prior use-of-force incidents.
In a statement sent to KDKA Radio, Lando says “In my 25 years in law enforcement, I have never harassed or threatened anyone. From day one of Mr. Sullivan’s ongoing harassment campaign, my only goal has been for him to leave me alone."
Frederick's mayor confirms that since Lando is no longer employed the matter will be placed in his personnel file and closed.
No new investigation is underway.