LAKELAND — Lakeland High School Athletic Director and City Commissioner Justin Troller is being investigated by the Polk County Sheriff's Office under suspicion of an inappropriate relationship with a minor, multiple sources have confirmed.

The father of the boy intercepted electronic communications between his son and Troller and contacted authorities, the sources said. The sources were not authorized to discuss the issue on the record.

Neither Sheriff Grady Judd nor Lakeland Police Chief Larry Giddens would confirm the existence of an investigation.

"We don't comment or acknowledge whether there is an ongoing criminal investigation," Judd said.

Troller was placed on paid administrative leave from his job on Dec. 8, according to Polk County Public Schools spokesman Jason Geary.

The school system would not confirm the purpose of placing Troller on leave.

"We cannot comment on matters related to ongoing internal investigations," Geary wrote in an email.

Troller, 39, could not be reached for comment.

Troller has been a teacher in Polk County since 2003, and was promoted to athletics director at Lakeland High School, his alma mater, in 2014. He has been a Lakeland city commissioner since 2008 and won re-election without competition for his third term on the governing board in 2015.