By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON — An administrator with the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department, the subject of recent disciplinary action, has accepted a position with another police agency, according to reports.
Lt. Gregory Leonhard requested and received a transfer to the TAG Law Enforcement Task Force, he said. The assignment begins Nov. 30, he said.
“I wanted to go in another direction,” Leonhard said. “I wanted a change of scenery.”
News of Leonhard’s new position comes on the heels of reports that he was the subject of recent disciplinary action for a department infraction. Sheriff William Johnson confirmed Leonhard is no longer commander of the department’s uniform division, but would not elaborate.
“It’s a personnel matter and I don’t comment on personnel matters,” he said. “There was nothing criminal involved. No laws were violated.”
Leonhard said the action had no bearing on his seeking the TAG position.
“An issue came up, but it didn’t cause the final decision,” he said. “I was ready for a different challenge. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for awhile.”
Leonhard had worked for the sheriff’s department for 24 years, the last 5 1/2 years as uniform division commander.
Johnson said he will examine his department budget before deciding how to fill Leonhard’s old slot.
