Cincinnati Ends Investigation Into Police Chief, No Findings Revealed

City refuses to extend contract with law firm investigating Chief Teresa Theetge, leaving taxpayers to continue paying her $203,000 salary while on paid leave.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or handcuffs lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the stark, gritty nature of an ongoing investigation.The opaque investigation into Cincinnati's police chief leaves taxpayers footing the bill for her paid leave amid a climate of public distrust.Cincinnati Today

The city of Cincinnati has ended its contract with the law firm FBT Gibbons that was investigating Police Chief Teresa Theetge, refusing to extend the $49,000 agreement past the March 31 deadline. The city has not disclosed any findings from the six-month internal investigation or indicated whether any action will be taken against Theetge, who remains on paid leave amid growing criticism over the city's handling of high-profile crimes.

Why it matters

The lack of transparency around the investigation into the police chief has raised concerns among Cincinnati residents about accountability and the use of taxpayer funds, especially as the city continues to pay Theetge's six-figure salary while she is on leave.

The details

The city hired FBT Gibbons in October 2025 to assist in the investigation of Theetge, initially under a contract through December 31 that was later extended twice, first through February and then through March 31. However, the city has now decided not to renew the contract, effectively ending the investigation without releasing any findings. Theetge's lawyer, Steve Imm, had expected the city to release a report by the end of March, which he anticipated would be a 'hatchet job' targeting Theetge as a 'scapegoat' for the city's recent high-profile crimes.

  • The city hired FBT Gibbons in October 2025 to investigate Theetge.
  • The initial contract with FBT Gibbons was through December 31, 2025.
  • The contract was extended twice, first through February 2026 and then through March 31, 2026.
  • March 31, 2026 was the final day of the contract with FBT Gibbons.

The players

Teresa Theetge

The Cincinnati Police Chief who has been on paid leave since being placed there by the city manager amid growing criticism over the city's handling of high-profile crimes.

Sheryl Long

The Cincinnati City Manager who placed Theetge on paid leave.

Steve Imm

The lawyer representing Theetge, who expected the city to release a report by the end of March that he anticipated would be a 'hatchet job' targeting Theetge as a 'scapegoat' for the city's recent high-profile crimes.

Keizayla Fambro

The Chief of Staff for Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, who stated the mayor and his staff do not have a role 'in administrative personnel matters such as these.'

Aftab Pureval

The Mayor of Cincinnati who Theetge's lawyer claimed chose the police chief as a 'scapegoat' for the city's recent high-profile crimes ahead of the November election.

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What they’re saying

“'The city had recently experienced a spate of high-profile crimes, and the mayor felt that he needed a scapegoat. He chose the city's first female police chief to be that scapegoat.'”

— Steve Imm, Theetge's Lawyer

“The mayor and his staff do not have a role 'in administrative personnel matters such as these.'”

— Keizayla Fambro, Chief of Staff for Mayor Aftab Pureval

What’s next

It remains unclear if and when the city will take any action against Police Chief Teresa Theetge, who continues to be paid her $203,000 annual salary while on paid leave.

The takeaway

The lack of transparency around the investigation into the Cincinnati Police Chief has raised concerns about accountability and the use of taxpayer funds, especially as the city continues to pay the chief's six-figure salary while she is on leave amid growing criticism over the handling of high-profile crimes.