PITTSBURGH -- Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril Wecht was named the county's first-ever medical examiner on Thursday -- but he will serve on an interim basis for now.

Wecht, 74, is under federal investigation to determine whether county employees and county facilities were improperly used for private work.

Dan Onorato, the county's chief executive, said Wecht has submitted a resignation letter that will take effect if he is indicted or enters into a plea agreement.

"I've known Dr. Wecht for a long time, and I don't think anyone would dispute that he's nationally renowned," Onorato said. "Unfortunately, there's this cloud out there that needs to be resolved."

In May, county residents voted to eliminate the elected office of coroner and replace it with a medical examiner to be appointed by the chief executive.

The new position carries a five-year term, starting at the coroner's current annual salary of about $64,000. The salary will eventually be bumped to about $110,000 a year.