Campbell Police Chief Tim Kelemen is on paid leave while authorities investigate whether he broke the law when he used a tea party activist’s information online.

Board members during a special meeting Thursday voted unanimously to take action against the embattled chief after public outcry that he lost credibility and trust from many in the small community.

It’s a routine move when an employee is under investigation and not an indication Kelemen is guilty of a crime, said his attorney Jim Birnbaum.

“It’s neither surprising nor something we don’t understand,” he said.

After months of conflict between the town and police and tea party activists, Kelemen, from his work and home computers, used activist Greg Luce’s email address and name to create accounts on pornographic, dating and insurance websites, according to police reports. He initially denied his conduct during a May 27 interview with investigators.

A prosecutor will decide within two weeks whether Kelemen should face criminal charges. Campbell Town Board Chairman Scott Johnson said last week members were not considering discipline before a charging decision was reached.

Kelemen’s attorney contends tea party members harassed town and police officials for months after board members in October passed a local ordinance prohibiting speech-related behavior on an Interstate 90 pedestrian overpass.

The chief viewed the activity as a public safety risk; Luce and another tea party member argue the ordinance trampled on their rights and responded with a federal lawsuit.

Since Kelemen’s meeting with investigators, attorneys have amended the federal suit to seek damages against the chief for violating Luce’s right to petition without retaliation, invasion of privacy and civil identity theft.

Kelemen will remain on paid leave indefinitely, regardless of the prosecutor’s charging decision, while the town or someone on its behalf investigates, town attorney Brent Smith said.

Hopefully, that investigation gives context to the chief’s conduct, Birnbaum said.

“There’s a big difference between a lapse in judgment and a crime that could end a career,” he said.