Montgomery

MINGO JUNCTION — The Bureau of Criminal Investigation is looking into alleged misconduct by an official with the Mingo Junction Fire and EMS Department, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office has confirmed.

The state’s forensic law enforcement agency, BCI is investigating allegations surrounding Fire Chief Brandon Montgomery, according to Steve Irwin, press secretary for the attorney general’s office.

Irwin said Police Chief Willie McKenzie III requested BCI’s involvement June 13, and the agency subsequently opened its investigation. Once completed, the results will be referred to the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office for its review, Irwin said, adding that he has no timeframe for when the process will be finished.

Irwin said he was unable to share further details due to the investigation’s ongoing nature.

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

Ruckman said village employees issued a statement of allegations against Montgomery, and village officials were not involved in the allegations. Ruckman declined to comment on the specific allegations.

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

Montgomery declined to comment.

Montgomery has served as the village’s fire chief since Aug. 30, 2020, and first became a firefighter and EMT for the village on July 15, 2014.

Austin Raymond is serving as Mingo Junction’s interim fire chief.