As questions swirl around leadership at the Utica Fire Department, the mayor is trying to clear up what he knew and when.

Recent interim chief John Kelly is being accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a deputy chief's 23-year-old son, who wanted to join the force. 

According to a message from City Hall, Mayor Robert Palmieri was made aware of the messages in March, through Deputy Chief Mark Ambrose. The Utica Police Department immediately began an investigation. 

The 23-year-old, Carmen Ambrose, never filed a complaint against Kelly and denies having any sexual contact with him. Investigators say it appears there was no crime, but Kelly has been disciplined for a violation of department policy. A settlement was reached between the city and Kelly on June 15th. We're told the city could only implement discipline for non-criminal conduct, occurring during the past year and half, though the alleged text messages date back to 2015. 

Carmen Ambrose was on the civil service list as a candidate for the fire department, but city leaders say he was never promised a job by Kelly. 

Utica Fire Department Fact Sheet