Police Chief May Be Off Job Until He Retires : Torrance: Donald Nash and the city had been negotiating an early retirement even before his Thursday night angioplasty to clear a blocked artery.

Torrance Police Chief Donald Nash, who underwent an operation to clear a blocked artery Thursday evening, may not return to work before his scheduled February retirement.

City officials said Friday that Nash, 66, had begun negotiating a possible earlier retirement even before he was admitted to Little Company of Mary Hospital on Monday because of chest pains.

A hospital spokeswoman said Nash was in good condition Saturday after undergoing an angioplasty, in which a small balloon is threaded into an artery and then inflated to widen a blocked or narrowed blood vessel.

“He’s as comfortable as he can be under the circumstances,” said Sgt. Ron Traber, spokesman for the department, adding that Nash’s doctors are not sure when the chief will be well enough to be released from the hospital.

Even after he is released, however, there is a possibility that he will not return to work, city officials said. They noted that even before he was stricken, Nash had talked with City Manager LeRoy Jackson about stepping down early.

“LeRoy and the chief had had some discussion because there are various options, of course, and they were looking at all of them,” Mayor Katy Geissert said. “He has enough accumulated sick leave and vacation and comp leave to go awhile . . . and I know that some of those things were being considered by the chief.”

Jackson declined to comment on what he and Nash have been discussing.

Several city officials, who asked that their names not be used, said Nash was considering the move because of controversy surrounding his purchase of two used cars.

Jackson, the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office are investigating whether Nash should be prosecuted for underpaying sales tax in the purchase of a 1957 Thunderbird two years ago.

Earlier this year, prosecutors conducted a similar investigation but declined to file charges against Nash for underpaying sales tax on a 1987 Jaguar XJ6 that earlier had been seized in a drug raid. The problem with the Thunderbird came to light after the Jaguar investigation was concluded.

Nash, who has since paid full taxes and penalties on both cars, has said both underpayments were inadvertent.

Jackson acknowledged that there are several ways Nash could begin his retirement early without suffering financially.

Heart conditions can be ruled either a permanent or temporary industrial disability, Jackson said, which would allow Nash to continue collecting full pay while he recovers. In addition, Jackson said, Nash has accumulated significant sick leave during his 42 years in the department.

“The doctor will evaluate what his progress is and indicate his availability to return to work,” Jackson said. “Other than that, I cannot comment.”

Upon his retirement, Nash will receive 75% of his final year’s pay as a pension. Council members last February approved a 15% pay raise to $109,380 for Nash’s final year at work.

Traber said Nash’s colleagues expect that the chief will return to work.

“We have nothing from him or anybody else to suggest to the contrary at this point in time,” Traber said. “Quite honestly, we hope he does come back. He’s a good man, contrary to what some people might like to believe. We’d like to see him run his time out and not have to worry about him being under a cloud.”

Council members, who under the City Charter must leave personnel matters to Jackson, said their primary concern is that Nash protect his health.

“I think the choice (about whether to return to work) should be Don’s,” Councilman Dan Walker said. “When someone has the major type of heart problem that he’s just had worked on and has 40 good years in his career, I think anyone would suggest rest, relaxation and a wonderful retirement in the sun.”