Delco Mayor Ousted For 1988 Felony Assault Conviction: DA

MEDIA, PA — Morton Borough's mayor is being removed from office after a court approved an action filed by the Delaware County District Attorney's Office in 2018 following a conviction on assault and related charges back in 1988.

District Attorney Katayoun M. Copeland announced that a quo warranto filed on Feb. 8, 2018 by the DA's Office to remove Bruce Edward Blunt from the Office of Mayor of the Borough of Morton, was approved and a Court Order directing Blunt’s removal has been issued.

Effective immediately, the order for removal comes following a trial in the county.

Blunt, 54, of Morton, was convicted in September 1988 of aggravated assault, a felony of the second degree, and simple assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, all misdemeanor offenses.

Blunt was elected as Mayor in November 2017 and has served in that position since Jan. 2, 2018.

According to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and corresponding state law, individuals convicted of an "infamous crime," which includes felony offenses, are barred from holding an office of trust or profit in Pennsylvania. Blunt is therefore unauthorized to hold the position of Mayor or any other elected position of trust.

Blunt’s conviction stems from an incident that occurred on Jan. 6, 1988, when the Springfield Police Department responded to a disturbance involving three men inside Houlihan’s Bar in the Springfield Park Shopping Center at 1:55 a.m.

Two of the three men became disorderly and were arrested by police. Bruce Edward Blunt then also became disorderly inside the bar and was told to leave by officers. Blunt continued to argue with officers. After failing to cooperate, authorities attempted to arrest Blunt, who resisted, causing the glass in a display picture to break. Blunt then punched one of the officers in the face and assaulted the two other police officers, causing all three to require medical attention. Blunt was convicted after a jury trial on Sept. 12, 1988 and was sentenced to serve five to 23 months in prison.

"We are pleased that effective immediately, a court order has been granted directing his removal from office," Copeland said. "As a convicted felon, Mr. Blunt violated the law by assuming the position of Mayor, meanwhile wasting the valuable time of our voters and breaching their trust, compromising the electoral process."

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