BY GREGORY A. HALL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FORT WRIGHT -- Mayor Cindy Pinto resigned Monday, placing in doubt the future of suspended Police Chief Mark Brown.
"The decision (to resign) was not an easy one to make, but one that I find necessary and in the best interest of my family and me," Mrs. Pinto said in her letter, obtained by The Cincinnati Enquirer. She could not be reached for further comment.
City Administrator Marc Bergman is recommending that Chief Brown be fired. Administrative charges against the policeman have not been released.
Former officer Julie Walker criticized Chief Brown for allegedly threatening her after she claimed sexual discrimination by officers in the department.
The motivation of Mrs. Pinto, who had been in office since 1993 when Don Martin resigned for health reasons, was not stated beyond family reasons in her letter.
The job pays $2,400 a year, Mr. Bergman said. Mrs. Pinto served on city council prior to that.
Council will meet tonight and could pick someone to finish Mrs. Pinto's term, which ends Dec. 31. If council does not select someone in 30 days, the appointment would be made by Gov. Paul Patton.
Whether a successor is picked tonight could determine whether a disciplinary hearing scheduled for Saturday with Chief Brown takes place.
The city administrator has said he could not elaborate on the allegations against the chief, citing a state law governing police personnel matters.
Mrs. Pinto set the hearing for Saturday, seeking input from council members.
"I am confident that the truth will prevail and that council will do the right thing," Mrs. Pinto said, without specifying what either of those was.
But by state law, the council has no say in the matter. The hiring and firing of department heads rests with the mayor. Council could only make a recommendation.
If a mayor isn't selected by Saturday, Mr. Bergman said he doesn't think the hearing can take place because the decision to fire rests with the mayor.
Ms. Walker has a complaint pending with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging she was sexually harassed, discriminated against and retaliated against by members of the department.
Chief Brown became embroiled in the situation because of his alleged threatening behavior during a meeting at which Ms. Walker's harassment complaints were to be addressed.
Chief Brown has said he didn't attack or threaten Ms. Walker.
