A former Allentown police officer has been accused of violating the law while on duty and is now facing more charges, including obstructing an investigation. Former Officer Jonathan Lee, 51, has previously been charged with theft and tampering with public records. The new charges stem from allegations that Lee misused police resources for personal gain, violating his responsibilities as a public servant. ‘We believe there is a pattern of behavior that suggests a serious breach of trust,’ said Lehigh County District Attorney, Jim Martin. The culture within the Allentown Police Department has come into scrutiny as two officers have come forward claiming that there was a pervasive culture of secrecy that enabled misconduct to go unchecked. These two officers, who opted to remain anonymous, shared that they felt the department fostered an environment where malfeasance among officers was overlooked. One officer stated, ‘We were trained to protect our own and not report what we saw.’ The allegations are part of a larger investigation into the Allentown Police Department, which has raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the force. In light of these events, Chief of Police Tony Alsleben acknowledged the need for reform and reiterated his commitment to fostering a culture of honesty and integrity among officers. ‘Any wrongdoing will not be tolerated in this department,’ Alsleben promised. The situation continues to develop as more details emerge, and the community calls for greater oversight and accountability from law enforcement officials.
Former Allentown Police Officer Faces Additional Charges Amidst Allegations of a Culture of Secrecy
