The former executive director of the Butler County Housing and Redevelopment Authority wants to return to work.

Perry O’Malley has asked the authority for his old job back following a Pennsylvania Civil Service Commission ruling last month that he be reinstated after being fired in 2015.

However, Paul Mazeski, O’Malley’s attorney, said the authority won’t let his client go back to work.

“They’ve not put him back,” Mazeski said.

He said the authority placed O’Malley on administrative leave. Authority attorney Andrew Menchyk said he could not verify O’Malley’s request or status.

“I can’t really comment,” Menchyk said. “It’s a personnel matter.”

Mazeski said they won’t force the authority to bring O’Malley back as long as he receives his salary.

“It depends on whether they pay him,” Mazeski said.

O’Malley received an annual salary of $128,000.

The Civil Service Commission on July 26 issued its ruling reinstating O’Malley to the post, citing a lack of evidence for his termination.

Menchyk said he expects the authority board to direct him to file an appeal in state court. He said that decision probably would occur at the Aug. 12 authority board meeting.

Mazeski said his client would cross appeal if the authority files an appeal.

Along with reinstatement, the commission ruled that O’Malley should be paid lost wages and have his seniority restored.

However, it also decided that a 30-day suspension be reflected on O’Malley’s record and that his back wages be reduced accordingly.

While Mazeski disagreed with that finding, he said it is not worth challenging that if the authority does not appeal the commission ruling.

“It’s almost a moot issue,” he said.

Mazeski said it’s premature to discuss whether O’Malley would accept a severance package.

“We haven’t gone down that road yet,” Mazeski said.

The authority fired O’Malley in March 2015 for allegedly abusing travel and sick time, using authority resources for private business and neglecting his duties, which resulted in financial instability, a failed project and poor employee morale.

O’Malley appealed the termination, citing age discrimination.

The commission determined the most egregious allegations — his private business endeavors were a conflict of interest, he abused travel and travel expenses, and his neglect of duties resulting in uncollectible debts and failed projects — were unsubstantiated.

The commission ruled a suspension was warranted due to personal use of resources and abuse of sick time violated the employee handbook as well as his time out of the office had a negative impact on subordinates’ job performance.

Mazeski stressed that the commission also recognized the authority’s growth under O’Malley since his 1992 hiring.

During his tenure, authority housing rose from roughly 800 units to 2,500 units. Its budget also increased from $4 million to $15 million over that same time.

In August 2015 the authority hired a chief executive officer, who is Edward Mauk, to replace the post of chief executive director.

But Mazeski said his client would not fall under that post’s supervision since it’s simply a new title.

“I would say it’s a distinction without a difference,” he said. “It’s the same job.”