PUT-IN-BAY, Ohio (AP) - The mayor in the Lake Erie island resort town of Put-in-Bay has appointed an interim police chief to take the place of the village’s chief who is now facing charges.
Veteran police officer Michael Frank will serve as Put-in-Bay’s interim chief. He is a former lieutenant with the Sandusky Police Department.
Chief Ric Lampela is on paid administrative leave after being charged with four misdemeanor counts, including dereliction of duty and falsification.
He’s accused of blocking an investigation into sexual assault claims against an officer more than a decade ago and lying to investigators. State and county investigators say Lampela refused to look into sexual assault claims from two employees and hoped to prevent negative publicity for the department.
Lampela hasn’t returned messages seeking comment on the charges.
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