Prosecutor Drops Sex Misconduct Probe into Springfield City Manager; Case Ends Amid Broader Local Scrutiny
SPRINGFIELD - The Clark County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, that it will not file criminal charges against Springfield City Manager Bryan Heck following a state investigation into a decade-old alleged sexual assault incident involving a city employee.
The decision follows an independent inquiry by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which was initiated after the city received anonymous complaints in late July. Heck was placed on paid administrative leave on July 28 pending the outcome of the probe.
According to the release, no criminal charges were filed because the alleged behavior did not meet the statutory definitions of a sex offense under Ohio law, rather than because investigators definitively proved the incident never happened.
Clark County Prosecutor Dan Driscoll noted that even when viewing the employee's account in the most negative light, Heck remained fully clothed and no physical contact occurred. Because Ohio criminal statutes strictly require proof of exposed genitalia, sexual contact, or sexual conduct to establish a criminal sex crime, the prosecutor concluded there was insufficient legal evidence to pursue charges or present the case to a grand jury, leaving any further action strictly to the city's administrative review process.
According to a media release from Clark County Prosecutor Dan Driscoll, the anonymous letters alleged that Heck "sexually assaulted a city employee by 'tea-bagging' that individual" inside the City Hall office complex. Driscoll noted that while the term traditionally involves an unclothed person, its definition has expanded to include "any lowering of the groin onto another person’s head or face regardless of clothing."
When interviewed by BCI investigators, the alleged victim stated the incident took place approximately 10 years ago. The employee reported feeling unwell and was lying down on a couch in a City Hall "relaxation room" waiting for medication to take effect.
The employee told investigators that upon opening their eyes, they saw Heck standing over them in an inappropriate position, with one foot on the floor and the other on the couch, placing his groin directly over the employee's head. The individual immediately got up and told Heck his actions were unacceptable. Heck reportedly responded with an awkward laugh and walked away.
The alleged victim noted that Heck was fully clothed, no physical contact occurred, and they were unaware of any third-party witnesses, photos, or videos, despite the anonymous letters claiming a photo had been taken and deleted at Heck's demand.
Driscoll stated that BCI investigators interviewed acting City Manager Jason Via, the alleged victim, potential witnesses, and current and former city employees. No internal city documentation or personnel records were found to corroborate the complaints, and other employees only reported hearing rumors of the event without direct knowledge.
"Even viewed in the most nefarious light, there is no evidence that Heck exposed his genitals nor that he made any contact with [the alleged victim]," Driscoll wrote
. He explained that any applicable sex offense under Ohio law strictly requires proof of exposure, sexual contact, or sexual conduct. Because these statutory elements were not met, Driscoll declared the criminal case closed unless new evidence emerges.
The resolution of Heck's case arrives amid ongoing local friction surrounding the Clark County Prosecutor's Office. Over the past two years, Driscoll has faced intense public pressure from local resident groups and political factions who allege his office has failed to aggressively prosecute driving infractions and property crimes or running illegal nightclubs involving Springfield's growing population of Haitian migrants.
Heck, who earns a $229,595 annual salary, remains on paid administrative leave. The City of Springfield issued a statement confirming that municipal operations will continue under the leadership of Acting City Manager Jason Via. City officials have not yet announced whether Heck will be permitted to return to his position or if further administrative action will be taken.
