(SCRANTON, December 31, 2025) – Two high-ranking Pennsylvania State Police officers are alleging retaliation after reporting work-shift fraud within the department.Captain Patrick J. dougherty and Lieutenant Derek D. Felsman filed a civil lawsuit Monday against the state of Pennsylvania, Governor Josh Shapiro, and several state police officials.
The lawsuit claims the officers were removed from their positions after reporting that three troopers falsified work schedules to illegally collect a 5% shift differential.
- capt. Dougherty and Lt. Felsman allege they faced retaliation for reporting fraud.
- The lawsuit names Governor Shapiro and several state police officials as defendants.
- A 2022 photograph with former President Trump is cited as the beginning of alleged retaliation.
- The officers claim their transfers were to less desirable positions.
Dougherty and Felsman claim they were targeted after Felsman and other troopers appeared in a photograph with then-former President Donald Trump in 2022, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton. Dougherty was not in the photo, but the suit alleges the image “marked the beginning of retaliation against (Dougherty and Felsman).”
In Febuary 2025, Dougherty was informed that two corporals and a sergeant were allegedly falsifying their work shifts, claiming to work from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. when they were actually working 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the lawsuit states. Despite being warned against it, Dougherty filed an internal report with the state police internal affairs division on February 13, 2025, alleging fraud and theft.
Following the report, State Police Major Norman Cramer allegedly created a hostile work habitat for Dougherty and Felsman, according to the suit. Others at Troop P’s Wilkes-Barre headquarters in Hanover Township are listed in the suit alleging Cramer “created a hostile environment every time he showed up.”
Dougherty was removed from his position as Troop P commander on july 2 and reassigned to a newly created position of assistant director with the Municipal Police officers’ Education and Training Commission. Felsman was removed from his role as criminal unit section commander in July 2025 and transferred to a position described in the suit as “a phony position” of special projects commander. He has since been transferred to patrol section commander at Troop R in Dunmore.
The lawsuit names Shapiro, State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens, Cramer, and 10 unnamed individuals as defendants. Bivens was appointed by Shapiro on December 17 to serve as acting state police commissioner beginning January 2, following the retirement of col.Christopher L. Paris.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Karoline Mehalchick.
Why It Matters
This lawsuit raises questions about potential political interference within the Pennsylvania State Police and the protection of whistleblowers. The allegations that reporting misconduct led to demotions and transfers could have a chilling affect on other officers who might be hesitant to come forward with concerns about wrongdoing. The case also highlights the complexities of navigating potential conflicts between law enforcement and political figures, particularly when those figures are publicly associated with controversial events or individuals.
Attorney Mark D. Schwartz filed the lawsuit on behalf of dougherty and Felsman,alleging violations of their civil rights and pennsylvania’s Whistleblower protection Law.
Whistleblower Protection Law – Pennsylvania’s Whistleblower Protection Law safeguards state employees who report illegal or unethical activity. it prohibits retaliation and allows for legal recourse if such actions occur.
