Jan 25, 2013 1 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper has taken an indefinite leave to take care of personal business after the death of his mother, though a federal grand jury is also said to be investigating whether he was involved in a bribery scheme involving a contract to install radios and computers in city police cars.

A former city employee has already pleaded guilty to taking $6,000 in bribes to help a business owned by a man Harper has described as a former friend land a $327,000 contract for the equipment. That man, Arthur Bedway Jr., has pleaded not guilty and has denied wrongdoing, and Harper has denied any involvement in the contract.

A police spokeswoman says Harper’s mother died Jan. 15 and was buried Monday.

Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson has advised he’ll be acting chief until Harper returns.