Sharonville fire chief resigns amid prostitution scandal, but isn’t leaving yet

Sharonville City Council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night that will allow Fire Chief Ralph Hammonds to resign his position and remain as a consultant for 30 months to help with the transition of a new chief.

Hammonds was 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 said the decision to allow Hammonds to remain as a consultant was in part because the events that led to Hammonds’ departure were sudden, and in part because Hammonds has provided valuable service as chief for almost a decade, and as a firefighter for more than a decade before that.

Hammonds will work full time, but will be paid minimum wage as a consultant. He will forfeit vacation, personal leave and sick days that he has acquired. Those funds will be used to pay his salary and pension contributions during his two and a half years as consultant.

Hammonds will work with Interim Chief John Mackey and the new chief. The Civil Service Commission will begin its search immediately, the mayor said.

“The assistance he will provide will be invaluable to our city and to our fire department,” Hardman said.

“He has 26 years of employed service with the city of Sharonville, with a relatively almost unblemished record by way of employment with the city of Sharonville, so when we took those things into consideration it was ‘do we have a way that he can continue to serve the city in a way that is both fair to his family, and continues to also be fair to the residents and businesses of our community in light of the allegations of this conduct.’ ”

Hammonds sent a statement to the Community Press through his lawyer, Elizabeth Tuck Loring.

“Chief Hammonds tendered his resignation to the city of Sharonville on Sept. 13, 2016,” the statement said. “He is honored to have served Sharonville’s citizens for many years, and deeply regrets any negative impact his actions may have had on the city and its employees. He looks forward to serving as fire consultant.”