Five Ohio police officers have been hit with departmental charges in connection with the 2018 arrest of porn star Stormy Daniels, the department announced Wednesday.
Columbus police said a department commander, a lieutenant, a sergeant and two officers from the now-disbanded VICE squad could face discipline ranging from suspension to termination for the July 2018 arrest of Daniels at Sirens Gentleman’s Club.
None of the officers were identified.
“Chief Tom Quinlan made this decision because these officers violated the Columbus Division of Police rules of conduct,” the department’s statement said.
“The director of public safety will make the final decision based on Chief Quinlan’s recommendations following a hearing with each officer unless the discipline is a reprimand. If the discipline is a reprimand then the chief’s decision is final.”
Daniels and two other women were accused of touching three undercover detectives, but the charges were later dropped.
The arrest helped prompt an FBI probe that led to the VICE unit’s demise.
Daniels, 40, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, made headlines when she claimed she had an affair with President Trump in 2006 and was paid $130,000 in hush money by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.Daniels later sued the president to end the hush-money deal she claimed the two had — but that complaint was thrown out in March.
She sued the Ohio cops who arrested her, claiming they were seeking to protect Trump from her scandalous allegations.
Daniels also sued Cohen and Kevin Davidson, one of her attorneys, calling them “puppets” for the president. The lawsuit was dismissed earlier this month after Daniels and the two lawyers reportedly reached a settlement.