Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
The Washington police officer accused of
tipping off a prostitute about undercover sting operations while allegedly
carrying on a sexual relationship with her for several years has been suspended
without pay.
Joshua Rush, who already had been placed on
administrative leave with pay immediately after his Sept. 26 arrest, was
suspended without pay during a “due process” hearing with city officials Oct.
3. Such a hearing is required under the police union contract.
The decision was an administrative order,
Washington Mayor Brenda Davis said Thursday night, and no vote will be taken by
city council on his job status unless he is terminated. City solicitor Jack
Cambest said city leaders preferred to wait to make a decision on Rush’s
employment status until after the judicial process is finished and an outcome
is determined.
“He’ll remain suspended without pay until his
case is adjudicated,” Cambest said.
Rush, 39, of North Strabane Township, was
accused of sending text messages to a woman Sept. 17 warning her of the
undercover prostitution sting operation by the District Attorney’s Drug Task
Force in Washington that morning. Police said Rush also tried to distract his
supervisor while they drove together in an unmarked car during the sting. After
the two parted ways, the supervisor went back into the area of West Walnut and
North Franklin streets and allegedly was solicited by the woman, Beth Ann
Davis.
Davis, who goes by the street name Butterfly,
offered the undercover officer sex in exchange for “donations” before a
uniformed Washington patrolman pulled them over about a half-mile away, court
documents allege.
Police said she had text messages from Rush
on her cellphone warning her of the sting that day. Investigators said they
also found text messages indicating the two were carrying on a sexual
relationship for about five years after Rush arrested Davis for prostitution in
2007.
Davis, 31, of Wheeling, W.Va., was charged
with prostitution Thursday.
Both Rush and his supervisor are city police
officers but were working for the drug task force during the sting. Rush faces
charges of obstruction of justice, hindering prosecution and reckless
endangerment and is currently free on $10,000 unsecured bond.
