JUDGE REVERSES PERU BOARD OF WORKS DECISION

Miami County Circuit Court Judge Tim Spahr has ruled to vacate and reverse a Peru Board of Works decision to uphold former Police Chief Ray Raney’s termination of Peru Police Officer Sam Finnegan. Finnegan was fired in March of 2015. At that time, the board decided Finnegan missed three days of work without authorization. Finnegan, however, testified at a hearing that he believed he was using FMLA time when he missed those days. Judge Spahr made his ruling Monday and said Finnegan is entitled to return to the department as an officer. Finnegan’s attorney Edward Merchant states that the former officer does plan to return to the department and serve the city of Peru.