COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Groveport Chief of Police has been reinstated after an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.

According to The City of Groveport, the investigation into Casey Adams found no evidence to support claims of sexual harassment and he has resumed duties as Chief of Police.

Adams was placed on leave earlier this month during a third-party investigation into the allegations. A summary of factual findings released by the city stated that the complainant reported being touched on his shoulders and grabbed by the vest from the front or behind while in conversation up to dozens of times over the course of two years.

The complainant said that he believed Adams’ physical contact was weird and unprofessional, but not sexual, but added that he never asked Adams not to touch him, never said that it made him uncomfortable or asked him to stop.

Adams admitted that he has grabbed officers vests in the past and would ask them things like, “Hey, how are you doing?” and acknowledged he’s done this with many officers.

The investigation also found that, “others in the police department who had witnessed this conduct or had heard of the conduct did not believe it rose to the level of a policy violation or felt that it needed to be reported.”

Groveport Administrator BJ Kings said the investigation process was fair and transparent, while citing a quote from the report that read, “After interviewing multiple employees of the police department, the investigation did not reveal any violations of City policy or Ohio or federal law.”

On March 12, Fraternal Order of Police President Brian Steel and Law Director for the City of Groveport Kevin Shannon confirmed that Adams was placed on leave effective March 4. At that time Shannon stated the discipline was based on “an alleged violation of city policy.”

Steel said Adams, who joined Groveport PD in 2001 and named chief in 2021, was placed on leave for allegedly sexually harassing a Groveport police officer. For an earlier report on this story view the video player above.

“If this disturbing allegation is true, we expect him to be held accountable,” Steel said at the time accusations were made. “I applaud the Groveport Mayor for taking swift action and conducting an independent investigation rather than brushing under the rug.”

Brian Toth, Executive Vice President of the FOP, said he was disappointed in the investigation’s outcome.

“Our member bravely came forward to report unwanted contact by Chief Adams,” Toth said. “The investigation’s finding that physical contact occurred as reported, but that Chief Adams cannot be held accountable due to the lack of policy against such unwelcome conduct is as baffling as it is disturbing.”

Captain Kurt Blevins served as acting chief during the third-party investigation in the absence of Adams, who will return to work on March 31.