PITTSBURGH — A board member of the Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority testified today that the authority’s fired executive director was terminated for the reasons the authority has stated and not for any other reasons.

Jerry Andree, a member of the authority board and the Cranberry Township manager, testified at a Civil Service Commission appeal hearing that Perry O’Malley was terminated on March 14 for using authority resources for personal and private business endeavors that are a conflict with the authority, abusing authority travel time, travel expenses, leave time and neglecting his duties.

When asked by the authority’s solicitor Andrew Menchyk, Andree said O’Malley was not fired because of his age or political affiliations — the reasons claimed by O’Malley in his appeal for why he was fired.

O’Malley of Cranberry Township, who was the executive director for 23 years, was placed on paid administrative leave in January while an investigation was done. After being terminated, he appealed to the commission, alleging that he was fired because of his age and politics.

Michael McNierney of Erie County was appointed as interim executive director following O’Malley’s ousting. On Aug. 24, the board hired Ed Mauk of the Pittsburgh Housing Authority as the new executive director.

Menchyk asked Andree if there were any complaints about O’Malley by current or former employees. Andree said there was one, from the authority’s former controller David Schnur.

Menchyk asked Andree what the reaction was to Schnur’s complaints.

“Very concerned. It shocked us,” Andree said.

He said that it prompted the board to do an investigation. Andree said the board hired Neva Stanger as a special counsel to lead the investigation.

While Andree did not testify about the content of Stanger’s report, he did say the report’s conclusion left no doubt that “the board could not maintain Mr. O’Malley as executive director.”

Further hearings are set for Sept. 24 and Oct. 8.