Overview
- An Aug. 15 email from City Manager Sheryl Long required all police communications, external meetings and announcements to be cleared through her office, with political outreach routed via government affairs.
- WCPO-obtained messages show Theetge sought a meeting on Oct. 15, and Long later directed her to return to Cincinnati on the earliest flight after a high-profile incident drew heightened attention.
- Theetge was placed on paid administrative leave on Oct. 20, and her attorneys say she will not resign, criticizing the city's actions as seeking a scapegoat.
- The city hired outside law firm Frost Brown Todd to conduct the leadership review, which WLWT reported as a $40,000 engagement, and officials have limited comment, citing personnel rules.
- Public calendars reviewed by WCPO show Theetge met with the mayor or city manager at least 20 times in the three weeks after the July 26 downtown brawl, reflecting intensive oversight of public safety operations.