To Protect and Overserve? The Final Drop in a Pattern of Overlap, Repayment, and Silence

By Frank Curry | FOIA Buddy
Investigative Journalist & Government Transparency Advocate
Published: July 31, 2025

A Breaking Development in a Long-Brewing Story

After nearly two years of Right-to-Know Law requests, appeals, court cases and relentless documentation gathering, we now have the clearest indicator yet that something was seriously amiss in East Union Township and perhaps in Mahanoy City Borough too.

At the center is former East Union Township Police Chief Thomas “TJ” Rentschler, who simultaneously served as the full-time Police Chief of Mahanoy City from 2021 onward.

Now, with a signed separation agreement and copies of reimbursement checks in hand, new questions emerge: Was there a quiet reckoning over time and pay that the public was never informed of?

The Overlap Pattern

Timesheets obtained through Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law reveal multiple instances across 2021, 2022, and 2023, where Chief Rentschler appeared to log work hours for both municipalities, on the same dates, with overlapping shifts.

Then, without public announcement, Rentschler resigned from East Union Township.

He remained employed in Mahanoy City.

The Repayment Trail

What We Found:

A separation agreement between East Union Township and Chief Thomas Rentschler, quietly executed without public disclosure.
Multiple checks from Rentschler to the township, suggesting repayment of wages.

Yet, based on overlapping timesheet data, the amount reimbursed appears to fall short of what was potentially repaid.

Questions Every Taxpayer Deserves Answered:

Were these checks reimbursements for time not actually worked?
Was this matter ever referred to law enforcement for investigation?
If so, did the District Attorney’s Office take any action or choose to look the other way?

Legal Implications for Past Arrests?

Some transparency advocates now ask:

“If a sitting police chief was quietly repaying wages for hours he shouldn’t have claimed, can that affect arrests or legal actions taken during those times?”

That’s not hyperbole. A defense attorney could reasonably challenge a charge on the grounds that the officer wasn’t officially on duty.

We are not accusing anyone of criminal activity. We are documenting a pattern and the silence that followed.

Who Knew What?... And When?

Mahanoy City’s current solicitor, Attorney Eric M. Lieberman, is not only legal counsel for the borough, he also holds a position in the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office.

This dual role raises pressing questions:

Did Attorney Lieberman notify the DA about the repayment and resignation?
If not, why?
If he did, then why were no charges pursued—or even acknowledged publicly?

The issue isn’t just legal, it’s ethical. Citizens deserve accountability free from potential conflicts of interest.

Was This a Cover-Up?

Let’s call it what it looks like.

A resignation.
Reimbursement checks.
A signed agreement.
No public notice.
No law enforcement announcement.

That’s not just discretion. That’s secrecy.

Was this a private settlement to avoid scandal?
Was the DA looped in or cut out?
Was Mahanoy City aware and complicit in staying quiet?

These aren’t accusations. These are reasonable questions based on documented facts.

Who Should Answer in Mahanoy City Borough?

John Fatula – Borough Manager
Attorney Eric Lieberman – Solicitor
Michael Connolly – Borough Council President

Why did none of them bring this to the public?
Why was Rentschler allowed to remain employed?
Why was he allegedly scheduled for taxpayer-funded training after repaying taxpayer money in a separate jurisdiction?

Who in East Union Township Authorized This Silence?

Kyle Mummey – Chairperson (signed the separation agreement)
Wendy Danchision – Vice Chairperson & Roadmaster
Jill Careyva – Supervisor
Donald Karpowich, Esq. – Township Solicitor

Did the full Board approve the terms?
Did the solicitor vet legal risks?
Did any of them inform the public or did they treat it as a closed-door personnel matter?

If you’re wondering how $12,500 in repayments could quietly exit the public eye, you’re not alone.

What else could possibly be going on in East Union Township?…

Where Is Chief Rentschler Now?

Chief Rentschler is currently employed by Freeland Borough.

Did they review his separation agreement?
Were they informed about the reimbursement checks?
Could this be the start of a repeat pattern in a new town?

Meanwhile, sources suggest he is attending Department of Transportation training, potentially billed to Mahanoy City taxpayers.

Final Thoughts: The Separation No One Saw

This story didn’t break because of a lawsuit or a headline. It broke because of public records, persistence, and a refusal to ignore patterns that didn’t make sense.

The public deserves more than silence.
They deserve the truth.

Because in Pennsylvania, transparency isn’t optional. It’s the law.

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What Happens When Timesheets Raise Questions? Scrutinizing Chief Thomas Rentschler’s Overlap

The numbers don’t lie. Public records now reveal troubling overlap in the work hours logged by Chief Thomas Rentschler, paid by two municipalities at the same time.

This article breaks down multiple years of timesheets that appear to show double dipping across Mahanoy City and East Union Township, leading to a quiet resignation, questions of repayment, and total silence from those in charge.

Why didn’t either township notify the public? Was this taken to the DA? What does it mean for cases he was involved in?

Examine the records for yourself and decide what the silence means:
Read the full breakdown here

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Disclaimer

This article reflects the author’s personal interpretation and informed opinion based on publicly obtained documents, public meeting statements, and official records under the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. No criminal allegations are made. All commentary is intended as fair comment on matters of public concern and is protected under the First Amendment. This content is provided for advocacy and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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