An Ottawa County judge has found fired Put-In-Pay police chief Ric Lampela not guilty of blocking a sexual assault investigation involving one of his former officers.
Lampela was cleared on two of three charges, and the judge will rule later this week on a remaining menacing charge that stems from allegations Lampela was involved in a confrontation with a former officer. Lampela was accused of refusing to investigate sexual assault claims from two employees in order to prevent negative publicity for the department. He was cleared on dereliction of duty and falsification charges.
