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FBI reviewing Pittsburgh officer’s arrest of man at football game

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PITTSBURGH (AP) – The FBI is reviewing a Pittsburgh police officer’s arrest of an allegedly drunk man at a high school championship football game in November.

A district judge on Monday dismissed charges of simple assault and official oppression against Sgt. Stephen Matakovich, who remains on unpaid leave.

The judge did that even after a city police expert reviewed security video of the arrest and testified Matakovich wasn’t justified in pushing the man down and striking him. The officer testified he felt the man was about to attack him.

Special Agent Gregory Heeb, the agency’s Pittsburgh spokesman, confirmed the review on Tuesday. The district attorney’s office could also refile the criminal charges, but hasn’t decided on that yet.

Matakovich’s attorney praised the dismissal of criminal charges, but couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Wednesday on the FBI’s review.

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