Newspaper Reporter Talks About Criminal Complaint Filed By Sheriff

Embattled Sheriff Dean Kimpel, who was already under fire for allegations of sexual assault, is now accusing a writer from the Sidney Daily News of telecommunications harassment.

News Center 7's Kathryn Burcham sat down with the reporter and talked to her about the complaint.

Kathy Leese has been writing stories for the Sidney Daily News for many years, including stories about the investigation into Kimpel. However, last Thursday, her name popped up on a sheriff's report accusing her of a crime.

It is part of a reporter's daily routine to check records, check their beat and make calls. However, the veteran reporter has now made headlines of her own.

Leese said, "I think it was a surprise and disappointment. I knew that I had not done anything wrong. I can stand by that."

Leese has been following Kimpel's case for months. The Miami County prosecutor is investigating Kimpel for allegations of sexual assault involving a female deputy, allegations that Leese had lots of questions about.

"Reporters have tough jobs and have to ask tough questions and a lot time people want to shoot the messenger because of the message," Leese said.

Leese said, as the investigation has progressed, the sheriff has increasingly closed lines of communication. First by not answering her questions in person and then ignoring phone calls.

"So, I had communicated with him by e-mail and asked him about allegations of things that were happening," Leese said.

Kimpel responded by writing an incident report. He wrote last Thursday in a report that he is accusing Leese of telecommunications harassment, citing two e-mails that she sent in which he said she was making "bizarre and unfounded allegations."

For someone who has never had so much of a traffic ticket, Leese said it was a major blow.

"The public's right to know is vital, and freedom of the press is essential," Leese said.

News Center 7 contacted Kimpel, and he declined to comment on the story. News Center 7 also talked with Tonya Tieman who is a city prosecutor in Shelby County. She said, so far, she has not approved any criminal charges against Leese.

It could be more than a month before the special prosecutor decides if the sheriff was involved in any criminal activity with the former female deputy.