Accused Texas Police Chief Is Fired
Published: 9/22/07, 6:05 AM EDT
ALTON, Texas (AP) - The police chief in this southern Texas town has been fired weeks after he was accused of sexually assaulting two male employees.
Jose Luis Vela was suspended after his Aug 29. arrest on two charges of sexual assault. Three more current and former police department employees have since accused Vela of sexual harassment.
City Manager Jorge Arcaute fired Vela Friday for poor record keeping and possible theft of confiscated items. He said allegations surfaced accusing Vela of stealing alcohol confiscated by his department.
Vela said he never took confiscated beer, nor was he involved in logging items. He is out on bail and plans to plead not guilty to the charges.
Investigators have accused Vela of performing oral sex on a male employee after the man passed out drunk at a party about a year ago at Vela's home in Mission, according to court documents. Vela is also accused of violating a different male employee with an object while that man was passed out at a party in July, Sheriff Lupe Trevino said.
Alton is a town of about 4,400 residents, located 10 miles north of the Mexican border in the Rio Grande Valley.
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