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Morningside Councilwoman Regina Foster has been suspended from her duties as a council member and as the town's police department clerk due to an ongoing Maryland State Police investigation into one of the town's traffic law enforcement programs, town officials confirmed Tuesday morning.

According to a press release issued Friday by town police chief Eugene C. Mills Jr., Maryland State Police are investigating the town's Red Light Camera Enforcement Program at his request. The press release was given to The Gazette on Tuesday upon request and did not contain any additional information about the circumstances surrounding the investigation.

Mills could not be reached for comment or for additional details about the Red Light Camera Enforcement Program's history by Tuesday afternoon due to medical leave, according to town clerk Janice Diggs, who also declined to comment.

The release did not include any information regarding Foster's suspension, but two town officials have confirmed that Foster, who has served as police department clerk since around 2001 and as a council member since 2007, was suspended as part of the investigation.

Vice Mayor James Ealey confirmed Tuesday that he learned of Foster's suspension about 10 days ago. He declined to comment further except to confirm what was in the press release.

Councilman Larry Frostbutter said he learned of Foster's suspension about a week ago, but also declined to comment further.

Mayor Karen Rooker declined to comment except to confirm what was in the press release. She was able to confirm that Foster has served as the police department clerk for about 10 years.

Maryland State Police spokesman Greg Shipley could not confirm whether an investigation is taking place as of Tuesday afternoon.

Foster did not immediately respond to an e-mailed request for comment. A phone number for her was not available.

Morningside came under Maryland State Police scrutiny last fall when the town's former police chief, David Allan Eichelberger, was charged with stealing a gun that was town property and selling it from the trunk of his police cruiser. Eichelberger pleaded guilty Feb. 12 and completed a 60-day jail sentence this summer.

Mills replaced Eichelberger in January.

ztillman@gazette.net