Crestline cops accused of taking sexual bribes

CRESTLINE – The Crestline Police Department is under review after allegations of dismissing tickets for sexual favors, Mayor David Sharrock confirmed at a village council meeting Monday night.

So far, the allegations have been made entirely through social media, Sharrock said.

"We're taking this very seriously," Sharrock said. "This is a long, drawn-out process. We're talking about people's lives here. We have to be careful."

Resident Matt Carroll posted the initial allegation on his Facebook page in late December. He wrote: "It's funny how Crestline cops are trading tickets for sexual favors. Something needs to be done."

The post was shared with village council during its Jan. 12 meeting, at which time Sharrock said he was investigating the claims.

Monday, in response to resident Dave Duncan's inquiries about the investigation, Sharrock said interviews were ongoing with officers. No officers have been placed on paid leave, he added.

"If the accusations are true then it will be turned over to another agency," Sharrock said.

The remainder of the council meeting followed a somber tone.

Village Administrator Marc Milliron said the village's general fund is $65,000 in the red. Council passed a motion to allow Sharrock to bring in a state auditor, at no cost to the village, to analyze Crestline's finances.

In a surprising move, councilman Mike Blaising announced his resignation from council, effective Feb. 14. He cited personal reasons for leaving.

Blaising's position will be the second vacancy in council. Another councilman, Ryan Mahek, announced his resignation at the Jan. 12 meeting, effective Jan. 31.

Because both positions are elected, residents wishing to join council and claiming partisanship must submit their petitions to the Crawford County Board of Elections office by Feb. 4. If running as an independent, petitions must be submitted by May 4.

In other council news:

• Council voted down an emergency resolution confirming the appointment of Bret Ruhe as police captain. Milliron said the village did not have the funds in the budget to support the position. The resolution was sent back to committee for review.

• Council passed and adopted an emergency ordinance to create the position of deputy village fiscal officer.

• Council passed and adopted an ordinance naming Renwick, Welsh and Burton LLC. as legal council in 2015, and naming Jon Burton as village law director, civil, and David Keller as law director, criminal. Compensation for the positions is $125 per hour, and $27,540 per annum, respectively. Neither position will receive employment benefits.

The next Crestline council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9.

kdurbin@nncogannett.com

419-521-7205

Twitter: @njKaitlinDurbin