Sharonville fire chief on leave amid prostitution investigation

Sharonville Fire Chief Ralph Hammonds has been placed on administrative leave after allegations of improper conduct related to a prostitution investigation in Reading.

According to a Reading police report, Hammonds’ vehicle as spotted in the lot of an apartment complex on Ohio Circle in Reading on June 29. Police were investigating complaints of prostitution at that address, and saw the vehicle drive away from the complex. On July 11, when Hammonds was called to the Reading Police Department to speak with police, he admitted that he had solicited a prostitute through an online service.

He told police he paid $60 for sex with a woman named “Candice,” whom he’d contacted through the USAAdultclassified.info website. Hammonds said this took place only one time, according to the police report.

Hammonds was not charged after he agreed to have no further contact with the alleged prostitute, according to the police report.

Mayor Kevin Hardman confirmed that Reading Police Chief Scott Snow provided the report to Sharonville officials Tuesday, Aug. 2. Hammonds was out of town at the time, but when he returned Friday, Aug. 5, he was placed on paid leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation.

Hardman said an independent investigator who specializes in this type of situation will conduct an investigaton. The investigation will center around whether Hammonds violated the city’s Standards of Conduct and Behavior.

“We will meet with him on Monday,” Hardman said. “I hope we will have that done in one or two weeks, and then we will take further action, depending on what comes out of the investigation.

In the interim, Assistant Chief John Mackey will serve as interim fire chief.

“Everything has gone smoothly in the past week,” Hardman said of the temporary change in leadership.