Fairborn police officer on leave amid investigation into ‘alleged misconduct’

FAIRBORN — A Fairborn police officer placed on leave amid an internal investigation into “alleged misconduct” has been in trouble before and is now planning to retire in October, according to public records.

Officer William Karolyi was notified on July 7 of the internal investigation, according to police records obtained by News Center 7.

“On July 1, 2021 I received notice of a formal complaint in reference alleged misconduct on your part occurring in June-August 2020,” a letter to Karolyi from Fairborn Police Chief Terry Bennington read.

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The new investigation comes after Karolyi self-reported “acts of improper conduct” in July 2020 and was found to be in violation of “unbecoming conduct,” according to disciplinary filings.

“This charge resulted from off duty conduct on the behalf of Detective Karolyi that was non-criminal in nature but reflected negatively on the employee and the department,” Bennington said in a disciplinary recommendation filing. Bennington recommended Karolyi be suspended for three days without pay for the violation.

Karolyi previously worked at the Kettering Police Department as Lieutenant until 2015. He resigned from Kettering after 18 years after admitting to having an affair with a subordinate.

News Center 7 contacted Karolyi by email for comment. He has not responded to the request.

Details of the most recent allegation of misconduct were not immediately released due to the internal investigation still being ongoing and open, said Sgt. Bill Titley with Fairborn police.

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The complaint was scheduled to be completed by Friday, however Karolyi has agreed to a mutual extension, which is permitted under the department’s negotiated labor contract, records show.

On Aug. 20, a letter was sent to Karolyi by Bennington placing him “on paid administrative leave, due to an ongoing internal investigation.”

“You are not to be on the premises of the Fairborn Police Department unless requested by a supervisor,” Bennington told Karolyi.

Four days later, Bennington sent an email announcing that Karolyi informed Bennington he would be retiring from Fairborn Police Department on Oct. 31.

“Officer Karolyi is currently using his accrued leave and will remain on leave until that date,” Bennington said.

In his most recent performance review, “Karolyi had significant policy and procedure infractions....however, has made improvements while in the patrol section.”

Karolyi was assigned to the ACE Task Force through September 2020 and has received the Officer of the Year award in 2018.

“People make bad decisions, and I own up to it and I’m going to move on from here,” Karolyi said in 2015 after resigning in Kettering.

Karolyi worked as a sergeant for Butler Twp. Police before joining Fairborn in March 2016.

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