(PORT CLINTON, Ohio)—Following a criminal investigation conducted by Ottawa County Sheriff Stephen J. Levorchick’s Office and subsequent review by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Special Prosecutions Section, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that charges have been filed pursuant to the investigation of alleged misconduct by Put-In-Bay police.
Robert D. “Ric” Lampela, 53, of Put-in-Bay, was charged with the following counts:
- One count of aggravated menacing, a misdemeanor of the first degree
- One count of dereliction of duty, a misdemeanor of the second degree
- Two counts of falsification, misdemeanors of the first degree
Lampela is the Chief of the Put-In-Bay Police Department.
The aggravated menacing charge relates to a 2012 incident in which Lampela allegedly threatened an employee with a firearm. The dereliction of duty charge relates Lampela’s alleged refusal in 2003 to allow police reports to be filed or an investigation to commence after two employees reported another employee allegedly sexually assaulted them. The dereliction of duty charge also alleges that Lampela’s decision to ignore the alleged assaults was made in order to prevent negative publicity for the Put-In-Bay Police Department. The falsification charges relate to Lampela allegedly making false statements to an Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office investigator regarding both the 2003 and 2012 incidents.
The Attorney General’s Office also filed a report of findings with Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas Judge Bruce Winters, who appointed the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as special prosecutors in this investigation.
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Documents
Charges filed against Robert D. Lampela (PDF)
Memorandum to Judge Winters (PDF)
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney: 614-466-3840
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840