Heidi McClain, wife of Todd McClain – the former Foster Township
Police officer who was terminated amid charges of false reports to
police – read a statement during the Foster Township Supervisors
meeting Monday, claiming her husband would be vindicated of the
allegations against him.

Heidi McClain also claimed “Foster Township will be held
responsible” for what she apparently feels was the wrongful
termination of her husband’s employment.

During the public discussion segment of the meeting, she read
from a prepared statement, a copy of which was provided to The
Era.

“What happened to the honesty in your police department?” the
statement reads, in part. “What happened to the investigation on
gambling and pornography that you falsely stated was being
investigated by the state police?”

“Mr. Wolcott, did you ever listen to the tape of the employment
interview that was conducted on my husband? My guess is “no,” or
you would have already known about the gambling and Chief (Jeff)
Wolbert’s response … you denied knowledge of gambling after that
interview in which you did not attend ….”

Todd McClain, whose employment was officially terminated during
the regular meeting in August, filed a lawsuit on Sept. 14 against
the supervisors, Wolbert and two other Foster Township Police
officers, claiming he was fired as punishment for revealing alleged
corruption in the police department.

“And finally, a message to the police department,” Heidi
McClain’s statement said, “our family will not be intimidated by
the citations, allegations or deception. We will continue to live
our lives.”

McClain, who became a Foster Township Police officer in 2002,
was placed on administrative leave with pay in March based on
allegations of “improper conduct.” In July, McClain was placed on
leave without pay. He has been accused of providing false
information to police regarding the theft of both money and weapons
from the police department. During the meeting in August, Wolcott
citing “neglect of official duties and conduct unbecoming an
officer” as the reasons McClain was fired.

Criminal charges against McClain, including false reports to
police, were filed Oct. 24 with Magisterial District Judge Rich
Luther.

Todd McClain did not attend Monday night’s meeting.

Wolcott and two officers attending the meeting, Kevin Shaffer
and Tom Munn, all declined to comment on Heidi McClain’s statement,
Wolcott and Munn citing involvement in pending litigation.

Wolcott did say he never claimed the state police were
investigating gambling or pornography charges. He said he had,
however, mentioned an investigation into theft charges by the state
police.

Also at the meeting, the supervisors reported:

* Jeff Anderson of Rixford was hired as a part-time police
officer on Oct. 18, the day after an executive session was held on
the matter;

* Jim Connelly of Foster Township resigned as a member of the
Uniform Construction Code appeals board, and was subsequently
appointed to fill a vacancy on the planning commission until Dec.
8, 2008;

* code enforcement officer Todd Erickson has asked to be
replaced by Jan. 1, 2007;

* the Tuna Crossroads bridge is still under construction, with
both abutments completed and the beams set to go down before the
end of the season;

* sewer lines on South Kendall Avenue and Olean and Bells Camp
roads have been installed, allowing residents on that road to tap
into the sewer system; and

* the construction of the Lafferty Hollow Industrial Park access
road is on schedule.