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The conference had to be postponed, however, until next month because of scheduling difficulties, DiGiorgio said Wednesday.
Gordon was removed from active duty in October after he and Chief William Matthews disagreed over whether Gordon would be allowed to take vacation time and when. Gordon filed a series of grievances when his request was denied, and Matthews on Oct. 3 accused him of insubordination, conduct unbecoming an officer and neglect of duty.
Gordon has been off duty since then, either under suspension, as he contends, or on administrative leave, as the city maintains.
Generally, an administrative conference is held in civil actions so that the judge assigned to the case can understand the basic issues involved in the case. The judge may also attempt to find a resolution acceptable to both sides to prevent the matter from going to a full trial.
One of the issues Gordon and his attorney want settled is the matter of a report on a psychiatric evaluation the officer underwent to determine whether he is fit to return to duty.
According to a letter contained in court documents in Gordon's suit, Matthews on June 13 directed Gordon to attend an appointment made by the chief with Dr. Pogos H. Voskanian of Huntingdon Valley to evaluate his fitness. The appointment was for June 30.
In DiGiorgio's administrative memorandum, he informed Riley that he had asked for a copy of Voskanian's report on July 14, and got no response. Later, DiGiorgio made a formal request for documents to Powell for the report, and again got nowhere.
DiGiorgio said a 2007 fitness evaluation had found Gordon to be fit for duty.
As it stands, Matthews has said Gordon has "an ongoing and continuing obligation" to report on-call for duty every day from his home between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The dispute arose in May 2007, shortly after Matthews took office in Coatesville. According to DiGiorgio, Gordon had accrued 312 hours of vacation time through 2007, at $35.54 an hour. When he submitted a formal request for vacation time, Matthews rejected it. Gordon filed a grievance with the city over the rejection, and while that grievance was pending, submitted another request for vacation time, which Matthews also rejected.
Gordon contends he is owed at least 842 hours of vacation, sick time and personal leave through June, and wants payment for those. In addition, he wants Riley to order the city to schedule a hearing on the disciplinary charges Matthews filed against him, something council has thus far refused to do.
