WILKES-BARRE — Wyoming Borough Police Commissioner Michael Flanagan, charged last month on a felony theft count related to a computer and other work-related items from his former employer, pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge on Tuesday.

Flanagan, 52, of Harding, was accused of stealing a computer, a Taser and a portable radio from the Laflin police department he headed until it was dissolved in December 2014, according to court records.

State police initially charged Flanagan on third-degree felony counts of theft and receiving stolen property, and a second-degree misdemeanor count of tampering with evidence.

At Flanagan’s preliminary hearing held before District Judge Thomas Malloy in Luzerne County Central Court, prosecutors and Flanagan’s attorney, Peter Paul Olszewski Jr., agreed to a deal.

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Under the plea deal, Flanagan pleaded guilty to a third-degree misdemeanor charge of theft, while the receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence charges were withdrawn by prosecutors.

Malloy fined Flanagan $672.25.

Flanagan worked for nearly 20 years for Laflin, initially as a police officer and then police chief. Soon after Laflin disbanded its police department, Flanagan was hired as police commissioner for Wyoming.

Flanagan was suspended without pay when he was charged July 19.

Borough council Monday night voted to continue Flanagan’s unpaid suspension.

Wyoming Borough Police Commissioner Michael Flanagan walks out of the state police barracks in Wyoming last month.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/web1_Flanagan.cmyk-1-.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Borough Police Commissioner Michael Flanagan walks out of the state police barracks in Wyoming last month. Times Leader file photo

By Ed Lewis and Pat Kernan

elewis@timesleader.com