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Sugarcreek fire lieutenant fired

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Greene County News report

SUGARCREEK TOWNSHIP – A Sugarcreek Township fire lieutenant has been let go after an investigation involving alleged sexual harassment.

Township officials told WDTN that Christopher Keene, who has been on administrative leave, was fired Wednesday.

The investigation was done by a third-party and Keene was found to be in violation of several articles in the personnel manual.

Keene was one of three fire department employees under investigation. He was placed on leave May 1. Firefighters Thomas Gilvin and Jeffrey Gaylor both resigned from their positions amid the investigation.

Township Administrator Barry Tiffany told WDTN Gilvin and Gaylor are connected to the alleged sexual harassment misconduct. Keene was promoted to fire captain in October 2014 and was a shift commander before he was demoted to lieutenant in May.

According to Tiffany, Keene’s personnel file includes misconduct toward Fire Chief Randy Pavlak and a write-up for sexual harassment of a female firefighter.

In documents obtained by WDTN, Keene blames the culture of the Sugarcreek Fire Department and does not admit any misconduct.