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by Robert Moran Published Sept. 24, 2025, 8:18 p.m. ET

An Upper Southampton Township police officer and a former public works official were charged with rigging auction bids on used police vehicles for their personal benefit, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

Derek J. Gale, 47, and Brandon F. Valentino, 27, are accused of scheming to falsely undervalue two Ford Explorers so that they could personally win them with cheap bids.

Both men were arraigned on Tuesday and released on unsecured bail. Gale is on paid administrative leave from the police department, the district attorney’s office said. Valentino was terminated from his position as assistant public works director.

Gale

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