Township trustees were officially advised Wednesday of Reynolds’ termination, two days after he filed for binding arbitration.
Reynolds, a 14-year police veteran, was terminated April 20 over the accusation that he accepted between $30 and $35 from Anspach the day after her election on Nov. 3, 2009, according to city records.
“It’s an awkward situation,” Police Chief John Terrill said.
In their reports, Terrill and township Administrator Dennis Pickett noted that Reynolds told the chief he went to Anspach to congratulate her on her election victory over incumbent Dr. Greg McDonald. But Reynolds was actually collecting the money, according to township records.
The money dispute investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by Anspach.
The original incident began a day after the election, when Reynolds reportedly overheard officer Barton talking with his nephew, Matthew Walker, about a fight in 2008 or early 2009. The nephew claimed Anspach’s son damaged a sun visor in his truck.
Although Barton advised his nephew to forget the incident, Reynolds acknowledged that, without opening an investigation, he contacted Cathy Anspach and accepted money for the damage without creating a receipt, according to township records.
Reynolds then gave the money to Barton, who gave it to his nephew, the township investigation found.
Reynolds says he was helping a resident resolve a civil dispute.
“And since she was a future elected official, I was being respectful to her position and went above and beyond the actions I would have taken with another citizen under the circumstances,” Reynolds said in a grievance response.
However, Pickett decided, “Sgt. Reynolds feigned an official police action with Mrs. Anspach to illustrate to her that he would give special consideration to an elected official above and beyond something he would do for another citizen.”
Pickett also dismissed Reynolds’ claims that the termination was related to a “dysfunctional relationship” between the police chief and Anspach.
Anspach declined to comment. Township officials said no action was taken against Barton.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author
