Put-in-Bay police chief placed on paid leave

PUT-IN-BAY – Police Chief Robert "Ric" Lampela has been placed on paid administrative leave by the village after he was charged with four misdemeanors stemming from an investigation into police misconduct.

The police department confirmed he was placed on paid leave.

Put-in-Bay Mayor Margaret Scarpelli said in a press release that the village will seek an acting police chief to oversee the police department.

"This situation has been a very difficult time for our small community," she said in the release. "The Village of Put-in-Bay is committed to and cares about the safety and welfare of its residents and businesses.

"We are dedicated to proving continued police protection for the village and the township."

Scarpelli has not returned repeated messages seeking comment.

Lampela could not be reached for comment.

The police department has deferred all calls regarding Lampela to the village's legal counsel, George C. Wilber, of Port Clinton. Wilber has not responded to several messages.

Lampela is charged with threatening one of his officers with a gun in 2012 and with covering up allegations that a Put-in-Bay police cadet was raped in 2003.

He was also charged with two counts of falsification on allegations he lied to the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office when he said that two people did not officially report the sexual assault.

A summons was issued for Lampela to attend a court hearing March 25 in Ottawa County Municipal Court. If convicted, he could face a maximum penalty of one year and nine months in jail. An attorney has not been named, according to the Ottawa County Municipal Court.

cshoup@gannett.com

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