Borough Leader Arrested on Drug Charges

Stroudsburg, Monroe County - Stroudsburg Borough Vice President Neil Allen is accused of buying drugs and it's not clear if that will cost him his public position.

Detectives say they caught Allen buying Heroin on Saint Patrick's Day. They say he bought ten bags in the parking lot behind Kay's Tavern in Stroudsburg. The bar owner Andriane "Kay" Sambates said Allen is a regular customer. She reacted, "I couldn't believe it. I went crazy. I cannot believe Neal would do things like that. He's a sweetheart. I love Neal!"

According to the Monroe County Drug Task Force, it all started with a tip. Someone told State Police Allen was buying and using drugs at Kay's. So the drug task force set up surveillance on Saint Patrick's Day. Investigators say they caught Allen getting into a car and buying the drugs.

Police say Allen signed a statement admitting he purchased the Heroin and said he took it for back pain. Now some people say Allen needs to leave his spot on the Borough Council.

But the Stroudsburg Borough President Kim Diddio said people should not rush to judgment. She said she will not ask Allen to step down. She told Eyewitness News, "I'm really shocked. He's a really upstanding and nice guy." She added, "He will come to his own conclusion. Legally I don't know that we have the power to tell him to leave."

Diddio said she expects the Borough Council will release a statement regarding the arrest at Wednesday night's council meeting. It's at 7pm at Stroudsburg Borough Hall.