Legree — an area Republican chairman and constable who has had several run-ins with the law — met with the candidate ranked number one by an appointed search committee. The candidate that did not become the city’s next chief.

The February meeting held at the King of Prussia mall involved Legree, City Manager Harry Walker and candidate Joel Fitzgerald, a Philadelphia narcotics lieutenant. During the meeting Walker said he wanted Fitzgerald to hire Legree in the police department once he becomes chief, Fitzgerald said.

Walker described Legree as an upstanding citizen that Fitzgerald would want close to him, Fitzgerald said. And bringing in Legree could have forced another officer out of the department, Fitzgerald said.

After the meeting, a con

tract was drafted, but Fitzgerald made clear to Walker that he wanted complete control over the department’s personnel, Fitzgerald said.

A couple weeks later, Fitzgerald was gearing up to attend a City Council meeting where his appointment would come up for a vote. But Walker called Fitzgerald that day to say the deal was off, and another candidate was getting the job, Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald was baffled.

“I received a contract offer and at the 23rd hour I was pretty much told they decided to go in another direction,” Fitzgerald said. “The job was yanked out from under me at the last minute … It was disheartening. I was very disappointed.”

Fitzgerald, 36, grew up in West Philadelphia and has been a Philadelphia police officer since 1992. He has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and sociology from Villanova University, and a master’s degree in business administration from Eastern University. Currently he is enrolled in an online doctorate program.

“I really wanted the job. I felt like I could make a difference given my narcotics background and supervisor experience since the late 1990s,” Fitzgerald said.

Walker had even left Fitzgerald a voice message stating it was a done deal.

“We’re on for Monday. It’s all going to get done,” Walker said in a Feb. 21 voicemail to Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald’s contract, drafted by city attorney Marvin Powell, was for three years with a starting annual salary of $82,750.

On the day Fitzgerald anticipated his appointment, which ended up getting pushed into March, Walker called Fitzgerald and told him the city decided on another candidate, Fitzgerald said.

Walker said Friday that Fitzgerald was not the best fit for Coatesville. And he downplayed the fact that a contract had been drawn up for Fitzgerald.

“We talked to more than one person. We were prepared to make more than one offer,” Walker said.

And even though the search committee recommended Fitzgerald, “this was my call,” Walker said.

Instead, Walker went with William Matthews, 59, a former police officer who works for the Police Foundation, a nonprofit law enforcement organization. Under city code, the city manager must recommend a chief candidate for council approval. Council approved Matthews on March 12 with a 6-to-1 vote.

Fitzgerald, still in shock, wonders what Walker’s true reasons were for bailing on him at the last minute since the appointed search committee gave him full support.

“In no uncertain terms did I not think I was being hired as chief,” he said.

Legree’s involvement also raises questions because he does not work for the city and is not a member of the search committee.

Chester County District Attorney Joseph Carroll denounced the selection process after learning of Legree’s involvement. Carroll also criticized Walker for not following through with the committee’s recommendation — Fitzgerald. (See related story.)

Walker admitted Friday that Legree met with Fitzgerald, and that Legree “offered his advice” during the interview process. Legree met Fitzgerald because he is a Coatesville resident and former police officer, Walker said.

Yet Walker denied that he asked Fitzgerald to employ Legree in the police department. But Walker did say Legree would be an asset to the Coatesville force.

“I’m sure he’d be a good person in the police department,” Walker said. But right now there are no vacant positions, he said.

Walker said Legree did not meet with the two other chief finalists.

Legree, a former Coatesville councilman and former Valley Township police sergeant, has been in and out of the courtroom for roughly three decades.

In 1976, Legree was found guilty of selling heroin and served 17 months in state prison before the conviction was overturned after it was determined the state trooper who arrested Legree mistook him for his younger brother.

In 1988, Legree pleaded guilty to harassment for pointing a gun at a woman and her children. He paid a $250 fine in the case and was prohibited from carrying a gun as a constable, although he continued to be armed while on patrol as a Valley cop.

In 2002, he was charged with insurance fraud and theft for reportedly fraudulently collecting disability compensation. That case was dismissed in district court, and two years later his arrest record was expunged.

There also was an incident in 1992, which involved Legree and his son Richard Legree Jr., who was 13 years old at the time. The son accidentally shot a friend in the face with a gun the boys found in his father’s car. Investigators determined the gun had been placed in the car by another officer.

The weapon had been removed from the Coatesville Police Department’s evidence locker for testing by Valley Police Chief Gary Swiger but was never returned. Coatesville was holding the evidence for Valley.

Swiger ultimately resigned as chief as a result and entered the county’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition program to address the charges against him.

Neither of the Legrees were arrested or charged in connection with that investigation.

To contact staff writer Jennifer Miller, send an e-mail to jmiller@dailylocal.com.