By Paul Paterra
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Jeannette’s former fire chief was charged with harassment for allegedly making a lewd remark to a woman during a training exercise at Jeannette Emergency Medical Services.
Westmoreland County Detectives filed the misdemeanor charge on Monday against Randy Dubich, 54, of 640 Wylie Ave.
According to the criminal complaint, Dubich was at the EMS garage for a training session Feb. 19 when he made the lewd remark. He then said, “What do you think about that?”
The incident allegedly took place just one week after Dubich returned to his job as chief. He had been suspended since Sept. 16, a day after he allegedly fondled a woman who had gone to the fire station to apply for a job.
On Nov. 12, he was charged with a misdemeanor count of indecent assault in connection with that incident. Dubich was first suspended with pay, but the day the charges were filed, his status was changed to suspension without pay.
On Jan. 27, a Westmoreland County judge ordered Dubich to serve 18 months’ probation on the indecent assault charge. He was reinstated to his $47,000-a-year job when he agreed to enter the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time, nonviolent offenders. Entry into ARD is not an admission of guilt, and involvement in the program could result in wiping his record clean.
He was terminated as a city employee March 9, ratifying a decision reached by council Feb. 24. Council appointed Joseph Matijevic to the chief’s position.
Lisa Dubich, Randy’s wife, spoke emotionally at the March 9 meeting about how her husband has been affected by Lyme Disease and has been treated for depression and anxiety since Feb. 24.
A 16-year veteran of the fire department, Dubich was promoted from captain to chief in February 2010, replacing Michael Bertolino, who was demoted from the position he had held since 1999.
“From the city, we really have no comment. I just wish him the best of luck,” Mayor Robert Carter said. “The city just hopes he can get the best help he needs to get through this trying time in his life.”
A preliminary hearing for Dubich is set for April 28 before Jeannette District Judge Joseph DeMarchis.
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