Ohio Attorney General: Mingo Junction Fire Chief Under Investigation | News, Sports, Jobs

BRANDON MONTGOMERY

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating alleged misconduct by a Mingo Junction Fire and Emergency Services officer, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office confirmed.

The state’s forensic law enforcement agency, BCI, is investigating allegations against Fire Chief Brandon Montgomery, according to Steve Irwin, press secretary for the Attorney General’s Office.

Irwin said Police Chief Willie McKenzie III requested the involvement of BCI on June 13, after which the agency began its investigation. Once the findings are complete, they will be forwarded to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for review, Irwin said, adding he had no timeline for when the process would be completed.

Irwin said he could not provide further details because the investigation is still ongoing.

McKenzie said the allegations were presented by village staff to Mayor Judy Ruckman, who forwarded them to him. In turn, McKenzie said, he forwarded the allegations to BCI “to make sure the investigation was completely transparent and everything was handled properly.”

Ruckman said village staff issued a statement regarding the allegations against Montgomery and that village officials were not involved in the allegations.

Ruckman declined to comment on the specific allegations.

Ruckman said Montgomery was placed on paid leave on June 14 pending resolution of the situation. BCI confiscated his tablet, laptop and cellphone as part of the investigation, she added. Montgomery declined to comment.

Montgomery has been the chief of the village fire department since August 30, 2020 and was appointed the village firefighter and emergency medical technician on July 15, 2014.

Austin Raymond serves as Mingo Junction’s interim fire chief.

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