A Lee County sheriff's deputy on the job for less than a month is now the focus of an investigation.
The investigation comes at the same time the FBI is investigating Sheriff Carmine Marceno for alleged money laundering allegations.
NBC2 confirmed Michael Molinaro, previously a Pennsylvania police chief was hired by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 2, 2024, and already the sheriff's office confirms they're conducting an internal investigation into Molinaro.
The sheriff’s office said, "We are conducting an internal investigation involving Molinaro's personnel file and its contents."
The sheriff’s office said Molinaro remains on duty; however, they refused to answer any further questions about the investigation.
NBC-2 discovered this isn't the first time Molinaro has been investigated. Leets Township Manager Betsy Rengers confirmed Molinaro was fired as the police chief of Leet Township for allegedly falsifying documents, insubordination and other actions, according to the township Civil Service Commission.
NBC-2 confirmed Molinaro was an officer in Leet Township since 2013 and became police chief in March 2021. He was fired in July 2022.
According to the Sewickley Herald, last year, Molinaro was accused of assaulting his father, though charges were withdrawn. The paper said police reports showed his father accused Molinaro of throwing things at him and headbutting him in the face.
Those reports say Molinaro punched holes in the wall of his father's garage and threatened to damage his father's business.
Online court documents indicate Molinaro spent a day in jail and posted a $25,000 bond before the charges were withdrawn.
Meanwhile, he remains on the job in Lee County pending the outcome of an internal investigation.