by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Tallmadge -- Sgt. David Brown of the Summit County Sheriff's department confirmed April 16 that a criminal investigation by his office has been under way in the city since April 14 regarding an unspecified allegation.
Recreation Facilities Manager Tom Headrick has been put on paid administrative leave as of April 14 because of the investigation, according to Mayor Christopher Grimm. He added Headrick will be on leave until the investigation is completed.
A letter was sent to Headrick from Service Director Dave Kline that stated "he is on paid administrative leave and to have no further contact with city employees other than myself," Kline said. "He is not to go into a city facility without me."
Calls to Headrick were not returned.
Lt. Ron Williams of the Tallmadge Police Department confirmed the investigation is being handled by the Summit County Sheriff's office and said no arrests or charges have been made as of April 17.
"Allegations were made and are being looked into," he said. "Due to conflicts of interest, outsiders are doing an impartial investigation."
"We don't feel comfortable doing this in-house, we don't want to be biased," Grimm said.
An allegation was brought forward to the Tallmadge Police Department by a resident of Tallmadge, Williams said. He would not be specific about the allegation.
Brown confirmed his department started an investigation at the request of the Tallmadge Police Department.
The investigation should take approximately three weeks to finish, according to Brown.
While Headrick is on leave, Administrative Assistant Barb Schartinger will take over the operations at the rec center, according to Grimm.
E-mail: aharnocz@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3911