Inver Grove Heights Police Chief Larry Stanger was placed on paid administrative leave Monday and is under criminal investigation after "serious" allegations surfaced in a case his officers had been investigating with another agency.

City Administrator Joe Lynch couldn't commit on the alleged crime, citing data privacy laws.

"We take it seriously," Lynch said. "We believe it is serious."

The City Council discussed the allegations in a closed meeting Monday. Lt. Sean Folmar was then named the department's acting police chief, Lynch said.

In February, another agency contacted city staff about Stanger's alleged criminal involvement in a case his detectives had been working on.

"We were notified that they were doing an investigation," he said.

The agency sent to the case to the Dakota County attorney's office. It will then be forwarded to another county, Lynch said.

"The protection of our citizens and their property is priority number one for the city," Lynch said. "Nothing is going to change about that. We will continue to deliver excellent police service to the city of Inver Grove Heights."

Stanger, who began working with the department in 1989, was named the city's top cop in 2012. He could not be reached for comment.

Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647

Twitter: @KarenAnelZamora