PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Among those awaiting Rhode Island Bar Exam results is a former Johnston police officer who resigned his post amid allegations that he had sex with a 16-year-old while on duty.

Paul M. DiMaio, 48, was one of 133 people to sit for the state bar exam July 26 and 27, court records show.

Now an established defense lawyer in Philadelphia, DiMaio resigned from the Johnston Police Department in 2008 as the accusations of sexual impropriety swirled. No criminal charges were ever brought because the teenager claimed the sex was consensual and she was of the age of consent, Johnston Police Chief Richard Tamburini said.

"He came in and resigned. He was facing serious departmental charges," Tamburini said. He described DiMaio as a good officer who got involved with a teenager who had "issues."

It was the second time DiMaio faced disciplinary action during his nine years on the force. In 2006, he received a six-month suspension without pay after he became "too friendly" and had improper relationships with students as the school resource officer, Tamburini said at the time. An internal affairs investigation found that DiMaio had not kept the proper demeanor for a police officer on various occasions.

Asked to comment on DiMaio's bid to practice law in Rhode Island, Tamburini said, "I have no problem with him. He certainly made a bad decision here."

Tamburini noted that DiMaio has endured tragedy in recent years. His wife of 20 years, Lisa DiMaio, was killed on Route 95 in New Jersey in 2014, when a hit-and-run driver cut her off, causing her Jeep to flip. The couple has three children.

"He's had a tough life," Tamburini said.

DiMaio is the son of well-known defense lawyer Paul J. DiMaio, and the brother of lawyer Stefanie DiMaio-Larivee. The elder DiMaio serves as probate judge in Johnston.

It was unclear if DiMaio had disclosed his experiences as a Johnston police officer with the Committee on Character and Fitness, but the public portion of his application indicates he resigned from the Johnston police force. A single committee member interviews each bar applicant and determines his or her moral fitness by examining their finances, legal training and criminal record, if any.

That process is confidential under court rules, courts spokesman Craig N. Berke said. "Every applicant would certainly be expected to be forthcoming about their history."

DiMaio has faced no disciplinary actions while practicing law in Pennsylvania, according to that state's Disciplinary Board.

DiMaio answered a phone call Friday morning, but said he could not talk because he was in court at the time. His lawyer, Tim Dodd, returned the phone call.

"He has worked diligently to rehabilitate his life," Dodd said. "He has established himself as a fine lawyer in Philadelphia. He is well-regarded by his colleagues and the judiciary. I expect he will reestablish himself as an ethical, competent, experienced lawyer when he returns to Rhode Island to continue his practice."

Roger Williams University School of Law professor Peter Margulies emphasized that such an incident must be disclosed.

"Here, his track record in Pennsylvania they will look to most ... I think the passage of time matters," Margulies said, adding that, however, "indications he abused a position of trust could potentially be a problem."

Still, Margulies expected him to be cleared to practice.

In recent years, the state Supreme Court has allowed John M. Cicilline to resume his practice after serving time in prison for shaking down clients. The law license of Christopher B. Maselli, a former Democratic state senator representing Johnston, too, was reinstated in June after he served time for bank fraud.

-With reports from Staff Reporter Carol Kozma