McCandless man, Heidelberg police chief settle civil rights lawsuit

A McCandless man who runs a tree removal service has apparently settled his federal civil rights lawsuit that says Heidelberg police lacked probable cause for his arrest in April 2012 on fraud charges.

U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab on Wednesday approved a motion by attorneys for Mark Kinsella and Heidelberg police Chief Vernon Barkley to dismiss the lawsuit. The motion doesn't provide details of an agreement.

Attorneys for both sides couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.

Barkley charged Kinsella with three counts of fraud based on a resident's complaint that his company, Professional Tree Service, failed to finish a $2,500 tree removal job on her property.

Allegheny County prosecutors withdrew the charges 13 days after they were filed, according to court records.

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McCandless man, Heidelberg police chief settle civil rights lawsuit