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Conclusion of investigation prompts Lowellville police chief to resign
LOWELLVILLE
Former Lowellville police Chief Ryan Bonacci will start his new job at Mercy Health next week.
Bonacci, who was appointed police chief in August 2013, was hired as the health system’s manager of protective services. He will start his job Monday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this letter to inform you of my resignation from the Lowellville Police Department,” Bonacci said in an email sent last Friday night to Mayor Jim Iudiciani Sr. and councilmen. “In order to continue to improve our community, it is necessary that our standards, rules, and laws be evenly applied. Therefore, I am unable to participate in a system that is inconsistent with this moral imperative.”
Bonacci said his resignation was partly because of a recently completed investigation involving police Capt. Stacy Karis, who is dating Iudiciani. He said the relationship was found not to be in violation by the Ohio Ethics Commission last year.
Since 2013, Karis served as the Lowellville school’s resource officer until the school board asked for a replacement in February. Iudiciani said that the board was not contractually obligated with the village to provide a reason for the termination.
In March, Karis delivered binders to school board members’ homes with information that included the school safety plan in the event of an active shooter, terrorist event and other emergencies. The schools’ attorney alluded to Karis that disseminating the plans to board members makes them public record – a violation of state laws because the documents are confidential.
The incident prompted an internal investigation handled by Lowellville police. Bonacci reported to the OEC that the mayor was intimidating him during the investigation.
“I feel that Mayor Iudiciani threatened me and is forcing me to stop this investigation against his girlfriend,” he said.
In an email, Iudiciani said the investigation was complete and that Karis did not violate any laws but provided no further comment. Village Councilman Bill Flora said Bonacci made the recommendation to terminate Karis. Flora said Bonacci’s resignation caught him by surprise.
The mayor and council will have a special meeting today to appoint an interim police chief.