DAYTON, Ky. — The man who will become Dayton's newest city councilman said Wednesday he thinks the charges of nepotism against Mayor Bobby Crittendon are weak.

        Virgil Boruske was one of nearly 50 who attended Tuesday's meeting, where council unanimously impeached Mr. Crittendon on 28 counts, ranging from nepotism to using city employees for personal work.

        “I'm not saying there's nothing there,” Mr. Boruske said. “As far as nepotism goes, it was weak.”

        Mr. Boruske, who will replace Miles Vaught on council, finished second to incumbent Cathy Volter in the Nov. 7 election. He said he would “rather hear both sides” on the other charges.

        Mr. Crittendon has been mayor since 1991. For the last three weeks, council has been investigating nepotism charges against him in connection with his son-in-law, Dayton Police Officer David Halfhill.

        State law prohibits a relative from directly supervising another relative.

        A total of 15 charges involve Mr. Crittendon, Officer Halfhill or Police Chief Greg Aylor. The rest involved the mayor and other officers and city employees.

        One count alleges that Mr. Crittendon complained to City Administrator Dan Groth about a reprimand Officer Halfhill received on May 1. Another charge contends Mr. Crittendon attempted to intimidate Chief Aylor over the reprimand by comparing Officer Halfhill's situation to unrelated actions involving another Dayton officer, Scott Dames.

        Mr. Boruske said Chief Aylor and other officers provided a buffer between Mr. Crittendon and Officer Halfhill.

        “That's pretty far from being in direct line with him,” Mr. Boruske said.

        Some of the charges involving the police department allege Mr. Crittendon:

        • Interfered with a criminal investigation. The charge alleges Mr. Crittendon ordered Dayton Police Officer Raleigh Barnett to favorably settle criminal charges involving the son of a friend.

        • Interfered with personnel assignments. Mr. Crittendon is charged with trying to force Chief Aylor to demote a sergeant and told city employees he “was just going to have to fire the Police Chief, or words to that effect.”

        A hearing on the charges is scheduled at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at either the city building on Sixth Avenue or the Board of Education offices on Clay Street. City ordinances require a unanimous vote to remove the mayor.

        If Mr. Crittendon is removed, the city would then have 30 days to replace him, or Gov. Paul Patton would appoint someone.

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