Bristol Mayor: DA’s Office Clears Chief Moors

Updated: Tuesday September 12, 2023 11:45 am 

In response to a series of questions posed the Bucks County District Attorney’s office last night regarding the story below, Spokesperson Manuel Gamiz Jr. said “We don’t have anything to say.”

Original Story Below 

Bristol Borough officials announced Monday night the Bucks County District Attorney’s office cleared Chief of Police of Joe Moors of any wrongdoing as part of an investigation launched earlier this summer.  

Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III made the announcement at Monday night’s Council meeting calling the allegations of alleged sexual assault and intimidation made by Heather Storey and officer Ritchie Webb baseless.

DiGuiseppe III said any allegations made against Borough officers are taken seriously and investigated  by county authorities, last June when the allegations were made publicly. 

After weeks of waiting “I spoke to the District Attorney’s office and our police chief has been cleared of any charges. The accusations had no basis and the case against him is finally closed,” said DiGuiseppe III.

Continuing he said “I was in constant contact with the DA’s office. He kept me informed along the way, and I can tell you that at no time was I worried about anything that was going on because we have an incredible chief and we have an incredible department. And at no point were we ever going to take any accusations against any of the men in blue or women if they’re here lightly. It’s unacceptable. We don’t run an unethical department.”

The mayor went on to describe a recent police involved incident in which locals screamed “coverup” as because locals alleged a vehicle accident involved drugs and DUI related crimes.

Four officers reportedly responded to the accident scene which was caused by distracted driving, he said.

We will never sit here and take accusations against this department lightly. We have a great police force. We have a ton of officers dedicated to this job and their community. Whenever something is said that accuses the department or our chief. And whenever something is said that accuses this department or our chief we are going to go at it with full force to prove a point, said the Mayor.

Lower Bucks Source contacted the Bucks County District Attorney’s office for comment and they did not immediately respond as of 9 pm Monday night.

Moors, since the allegations came to light, has declined to comment and or respond to police related matters since July.

The unfounded allegations came to light in June when a series of social media posts published by Storey and current police officer Webb came into the public realm/

Many have told this publication the allegations made by Webb were connected to the arrest of Borough resident Ed Lenegan “the mower guy.”

Days before the posts were published he was arrested and charged by police on the same block Webb lives on. Moreover officials have said, on background, Webb has been warned about   fraternizing with Lennegan a “convicted felon.”  Although that information has been difficult to confirm with Borough officials. Attempts to find out what the department’s policy is about alleged fraternizing have not been revealed as getting hold of departmental policy manuals is not something easily shared with the media. 

Lennegan has since been charged with two additional summary offenses related to his mowing exploits.

File Image: Chief Moors speaking to Borough Children at Kids Night at the Carnival 2022
Credit: Lower Bucks Source

Storey in June said the DA’s office were dropping the investigation of  she was sexually  assaulted due to lack of corroborating evidence.

Lower Bucks Source in response to this publication’s June story received a number of tips and allegations about alleged Bristol Borough Police “corruption” and “harassment.”

To this date none of those tips or allegations have been verified for additional reporting,

Bristol officials encouraged any one in the public with a police related issue or complaint to come to them for help.

Attempts to reach Storey and Webb and his attorney of record Lou Hornstine for comment were unsuccessful as of 9:20 pm Monday.

Moors did not comment during the meeting nor did he reply to a request for comment this evening. He was named Police Chief about 17 months ago, and has been with the department for more than 30 years.

No information was provided about allegations made by Storey and Webb against officer Elifa Soto.

Lower Bucks Source asked investigators about Soto and no response was available as of 9:30 pm Monday night.

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