COAL GROVE — Allegations made by resigning police chief against Coal Grove Mayor Gary Sherman were referred to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the state Ethics Commission on Sunday.

Council for the Village of Coal Grove met in a special session, which began with a public commentary game, followed by a lengthy executive session, council member Denise Paulus said.

After the executive session, the council asked the village attorney, Mark McCown, to dismiss the allegations.

Police Chief Randy Lewis announced his resignation last week, which was followed by the resignation of the entire Village Police Department.

In his resignation from the board, Lewis made a number of allegations of wrongdoing by Sherman.

Sherman was not present at Sunday’s meeting, Paulus said. Council Member KimBerly McKnight, who is acting mayor, accepted Lewis’ immediate resignation. It was originally schedulated to come into force on January 24.

In a response letter, Sherman said the allegations against him were false and alleged that an investigation into Lewis, spurred by citizen complaints and threatened legal action, must take effect before his resignation.

Lewis had served as Coal Grove’s police chief since 2018. He previously served as chief in Chesapeake in 2017, before stepping down after a row with then-mayor Tommy Templeton.