ASHVILLE — Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that it is investigating allegations of theft that Ashville Police Chief Jeff George removed a fishing pole from the evidence room and took it home.
Thursday, Chief George was escorted out of the police department by Ashville’s Personnel Director Brian Garvine as assisted by a sheriff’s deputy, according to PCSO Captain Jonathan Strawser.
Village Hall has suspended George from duty with pay.
George has not been charged with anything, Strawser said.
Last week the Herald reached out to Village Hall to obtain a copy of the video that allegedly shows George removing an item from the evidence room.
Village Administrator Bert Cline said there was an investigation by a private investigator, who was hired by the Village Hall based on the advice of Garvine, Village Solicitor Brian Zets.
Regarding the matter, “Everyone acted on the advice from HR, the investigator and the solicitor,” Cline said.
Cline said he wasn’t involved in the decision-making parts of this investigation, so he referred follow-up questions about the matter to Garvine and Zets, who have not responded for comment.
When Cline was asked by the Herald a series of follow-up questions Friday morning about a day after George was escorted away from the police department, Cline said he could not comment based on the ongoing investigation.
The Herald has asked Village Hall who will be leading the Ashville Police Department while George is suspended, but has received no response.
About a week ago, Village Council voted unanimously to retain George with all chief powers on July 8, Cline said.
George, a 22-year veteran of the Ashville Police Department, was hired with a unanimous vote by Village Council in January of 2018.
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