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New Allegations Surface Against Chief

POSTED: 2:03 pm MST February 25, 2009
UPDATED: 2:24 pm MST February 25, 2009

The Valley police chief accused of encouraging another officer to lie while he was still a lieutenant was also the subject of a multiple-page complaint, CBS 5 News has found.

A 13-page document containing allegations against Tempe Police Chief Tom Ryff was delivered to Tempe City Manager Charlie Meyer on Jan. 27.

The complaint, which was given to reporter Donna Rossi, accuses Ryff of chronically misusing taxpayer money, abusing his power and orchestrating a widespread cover-up to hide extramarital affairs.

Ryff denied every allegation made in the complaint.

After an administrative investigation which ended Feb. 13, the city determined all the allegations to be "unfounded," "unsubstantiated" and "false."

"I was confident with the results before the investigation was completed," Ryff said.

Nevertheless, questions remain about the thoroughness of the investigation; investigators had 12 business days to review documents, personnel files and travel receipts as well as interview nearly two dozen people named in the complaint.

Allegations of misconduct first arose in January when a recording that purportedly has Ryff as a lieutenant telling a junior officer how to lie to his wife appeared online.

City leaders refused to investigate the tape, and issued a statement saying the recording was "of questionable authenticity." Additionally, Ryff's personal attorney warned CBS 5 News not to air the tape "given its obvious unreliability."

Ryff has since admitted that it is, in fact, his voice on the tape.

City leaders still say they have no plans to investigate.

Sources say Tempe police officers have flooded union representatives with phone calls and e-mail about the allegations of misconduct, and the union has made it clear to city leaders that it was all allegations fully investigated.


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