CINCINNATI -- Tye Smith was going to be promoted to the city manager of Forest Park this month, but instead he's out of a job and facing charges of sexual imposition.
Smith, 48, had been the Forest Park city human resources director since 1996. Two female interns said Smith had sexual contact with them while they worked for him last year, and that he told them he was conducting studies on female health and sexuality issues, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters announced Wednesday.
One of the victims reported to deputies that Smith touched her inappropriately, including her breast, in December. In an incident report, investigators wrote that Smith "corroborated all the victim's statements but denied touching her actual breast."
"This guy is a complete creep," Deters said. "I find it very hard to believe that these are his only victims."
Forest Park officials had planned to appoint Smith as their city manager effective Jan. 1. However, one of the victims came forward before then and reported the incident to the sheriff's department, Deters said.
City Manager Ray Hodges said he doesn't know the victims and wasn't aware they were part of an internship program.
"Forest Park has zero tolerance for any harassment or sexual imposition of any kind, so this comes as a shock, and the allegations represent something that would be totally unacceptable to us," Hodges said.
Smith was indicted on two counts of sexual imposition. If convicted, he could face 120 days in jail.
Smith is no longer employed by the City of Forest Park, according to Deters. However, Smith will still be paid through March as part of his resignation agreement, according to Hodges.
Deters asked any other victims of sexual imposition to call Detective Jack Losekamp at 513-851-6000.
