Tamaqua Borough Council terminated the employment of Christopher Cordes, the Tamaqua police officer charged with child sexual abuse, manufacturing child pornography, sexual intercourse with an animal and other charges.

Cordes, 29, of Bloomsburg, was hit with the charges May 31, and had been suspended from the department without pay since then for conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Council’s decision to fire Cordes - whose letter of resignation was read during Tuesday’s meeting - was unanimous.

Mayor Nathan Gerace recommended the termination, and in his report to council, noted that no illegal acts had occurred while Cordes was on active duty.

Gerace said he was notified by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office on the morning of May 31 that Cordes had been taken into custody and was being held in the Columbia County Prison. At that point, he placed Cordes on an indefinite suspension without pay.

“On June 10, Chief (Michael) Hobbs sent Mr. Cordes, via email and regular mail, notice of a Loudermill hearing on June 14 at 9 a.m. This hearing provided Mr. Cordes with the opportunity to present evidence and testimony that might be favorable to him, and to challenge the possible termination of his position with the Tamaqua Police Department,” Gerace said.

Cordes, however, never arrived to the meeting.

“We stayed until 9:15 a.m. and then had statements notarized evidencing the fact that we were present and he was not,” Gerace said.

Cordes had been jailed on $250,000 on the 18 felony and three misdemeanor charges. According to court documents, he posted bail on June 7.

He noted that the Attorney General’s office found that no illegal acts had occurred while Cordes was on duty in the borough.

“In addition, the Attorney General’s office thoroughly examined the police department’s computer system and found no improper activity related to Mr. Cordes,” Gerace said. “It is also important to note that no other police officer employed by the Tamaqua Police Department is under investigation by the Attorney General’s office or our department, and we have received no credible complaints or alert of any such misconduct by any other officer in our department.”

Gerace said that based on all the information and the fact that Cordes never showed at the hearing to provide evidence of his innocence, “leads me to ask council to act on my recommendation to terminate Mr. Cordes’ employment with the Tamaqua Police Department, effective immediately.