Upper Southampton police officer and assistant public works director charged with bid rigging

A recent Grand Jury investigation led to felony charges against an Upper Southampton Township Police Officer and a former public works employee in a criminal conspiracy involving bid rigging and theft of township vehicles.

Derek J. Gale and Brandon F. Valentino, formerly the Assistant Public Works Director with the township, were found to have conspired to intentionally lower the value of decommissioned township vehicles to secure them at a reduced price through the Municibid auction website. The scheme involved two Ford Explorer vehicles previously used by the Upper Southampton Township Police Department.

Gale, 47, of Morrisville, and Valentino, 27, of Chalfont, were charged with bid rigging, theft by deception, criminal conspiracy to commit theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, criminal conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking, theft by receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy to commit theft by receiving stolen property. They were arraigned on Tuesday by Magisterial District Judge Brian M. Marriott and released on unsecured bail.

Gale is currently on paid administrative leave with the police department and Valentino was terminated from his public works position.