Sheriff Charles Cox, in a letter to Ingle dated March 6, said she violated department policy by failing to report important information to supervisors and knowingly releasing proprietary information from the sheriff’s office.
Cox said he reached his decision after reviewing the findings of fact issued by a hearing officer from Clemans-Nelson Associates, a management consulting firm.
In his report, hearing officer Aaron Weare wrote that the alleged misconduct by Ingle involved sheriff’s deeds that she was asked to notarize in early November.
Ingle questioned the signature of Cox on the deeds but did not report the concern to her supervisors or the county prosecutor, Weare wrote. At one point, she said those same deeds were removed from her desk without an explanation but again did not report to a supervisor.
Cox had surgery last year, followed by complications, and has been out of the office most of the last several months. He is scheduled for additional surgery this week.
Ingle also was accused of violating policy for taking “operational, confidential and proprietary information” to a private attorney, who was consulted regarding her duties as a notary.
Weare determined evidence supported those two alleged violations, but did not support the third allegation of dishonesty by Ingle during an investigation interview.
Ingle was represented in the hearing by Mark Volcheck, a representative/attorney with the Ohio Police Benevolent Association. He did not respond to a phone call.
Another investigation into allegations made regarding the handling of sheriff’s deeds continues by a special prosecutor.
Miami County Prosecutor Tony Kendell said he sought the appointment of a special prosecutor after he was asked by sheriff’s office administrators to look into allegations.
Kevin Talebi, the Champaign County prosecutor, said Thursday he is reviewing paperwork and documents and hopes to have additional information soon.
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