Lehigh Township Police Chief Scott Fogel has resigned after months of public scrutiny and a $1.75 million lawsuit. The board of supervisors accepted his resignation Aug. 12.

Sgt. John Henry, who has been on the police force since 1999, was named acting officer in charge.

The board did not release Fogel’s resignation letter, dated Aug. 1, 2025. He was hired as chief in 2012.

Fogel was the subject of a $1.75 million settlement in a federal lawsuit, leading residents to continually ask about his employment with the township. The lawsuit, filed by former township police officer Jessica Edwards, alleged that Fogel sexually harassed, physically accosted and retaliated against her during her five-year tenure.

The township paid $275,000 in back wages, while the remainder of the settlement was covered by the township’s insurance provider.

About 25 residents attended the Aug. 12 meeting and had questions about the chief’s departure.

Resident Paul Nikisher asked, “When did the chief get put on administrative leave? What did he say in the letter? We need more transparency.”

The board remained silent on the matter, as it has in past months.

Board President Mike Jones said, “You are all welcome to submit a [Right to Know request] for the information.”

“We cannot talk about it,” Supervisor Cindy Miller said. “The labor lawyer said it is a personnel matter.”

Nikisher asked, “What have you done to make sure this doesn’t happen in the future?”

“We hired a consulting firm to make changes where they are needed, to make things better,” Miller replied.

Campbell Durrant, P.C., based in Bala Cynwyd, was hired last year.

Right to Know requests indicated the attorney worked on Right to Know appeals and police negotiations and prepared an investigative report. In past months, Lehigh Township has paid $13,000 and $18,000 in fees to the firm.

In previous years, the township has reportedly dealt with strife from other officers and the police union.

The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board ruled that Lehigh Township committed an unfair labor practice when it altered a veteran police officer’s work schedule in a move found to be motivated by retaliation. In a decision issued Aug. 11, 2023, Hearing Examiner John Pozniak concluded the township violated Section 6(1)(a) of the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act by interfering with officer Jonathon Roth’s protected union activity.

At the time of the decision, Roth was an 18-year veteran and the township’s only K-9 officer. Roth also served as the president of the Lehigh Township Police Association.

On Nov. 14, 2022, the union filed a charge with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, claiming the township changed Roth’s platoon assignment in retaliation for his union activities and without proper bargaining, in violation of the collective bargaining agreement.

“It’s time to move on,” Supervisor Janet Sheats said at the meeting held Aug. 12. “It’s all done with.”

After the meeting, Sheats said, “It’s time to just support our officers. Morale in the department is great!”