News
Fired Police Chief Found Not Guilty
By: Associated Press
Posted on:
PORT CLINTON, Ohio (AP) – A fired Ohio island police chief has been found not guilty of blocking a sexual assault investigation involving one of his former officers.
Former Put-in-Bay chief Ric Lampela was cleared on two of three charges against him on Wednesday.
The judge who issued the not-guilty verdicts is expected to rule later this week on a remaining menacing charge against the former police chief. The charge stems from allegations that Lampela was involved in a confrontation with a former officer.
He was cleared on dereliction of duty and falsification charges.
State and county investigators had accused Lampela of refusing to look into sexual assault claims from two employees against a former officer. Investigators said the chief wanted to prevent negative publicity for the department.