From left, Jeff Griggs, Cindy Griggs and Dennis MadduxThe Times Free Press learned late Tuesday that Cleveland's ex-police chief, Dennis Maddux, who was caught in an affair with a subordinate's wife by her husband, has submitted his retirement letter.
The letter is addressed to City Manager Janice Casteel, and Evie West, spokeswoman for the Police Department, confirmed the letter's authenticity.
Acting Chief Mark Gibson told the Times Free Press that he received the same letter and that he needed to defer any comments on the matter to Casteel.
Maddux was chief for one day before he was removed from the position after getting into an altercation with one of his officers, Jeff Griggs, over an affair he was having with Griggs' wife, Cindy. An Internal Affairs investigation found that Maddux lied about the incident and violated department policies, which are Class A offenses, and according to the department's policy "will result in termination unless there are mitigating factors involved to justify the reduction of punishment."
The investigation also found Griggs at fault for Class A offenses. Both men have been on paid suspension since the confrontation.
Casteel previously told the Times Free Press that she had not received a disciplinary recommendation from Gibson regarding Maddux, Griggs or Lt. Steve Tyson, who also was found to be in violation of policy in the incident, according to the internal affairs report.
In the news release sent out this morning by West, it says that Casteel had previously approved disciplinary action to be taken against Maddux, but that he had not been informed of the action upon the time he submitted the letter. Casteel accepted Maddux's resignation, which concludes the disciplinary action in his case.
In the resignation letter dated May 12, Maddux tells Casteel that he is retiring and that his resignation is not an admission of guilt.
"Let this notice reflect my denial of any violation of departmental policy, and that after over 28 years of dedicated and unwavering police service to this city I retire with great concern for it," the letter said.
The letter also blames the findings of the investigation to be "twisted to fit the internal machine that has divided the Cleveland Police Department for the last 8 years [and] will continue to lead it to failure if not repaired."
Maddux' says in the letter that "[My] failed marriage and my private life should not be a factor in the demise of an otherwise flawless career."
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.