SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WLIO) — Shawnee Township trustees have suspended Fire Chief Austin Miller without pay following the completion of an independent investigation, though officials declined to release details about the findings.
About 20 people attended a special trustees meeting Monday afternoon, where the sole agenda item was the status of the chief. The board immediately entered a brief executive session before returning to announce its disciplinary decision.
Trustees said they are adhering to township policies, procedures and the Ohio Revised Code. They emphasized they could not comment on specifics and noted they did not receive the completed investigation until late last week.
Clark Spieles, chair of the Shawnee Township trustees, said in a prepared statement: “The Shawnee township trustees received the independent investigation of Austin Miller on Friday, November 21 2025 the report will remain confidential throughout the entire process.”
No public explanation has been given for the action against Miller. However, accusations of the alleged misuse of a township vehicle are part of his public file.
Spieles said attorneys for both sides have up to 30 days to reach a resolution before trustees must decide whether Miller will return from suspension or be terminated. Miller also met privately with attorneys Monday night to discuss the findings.
