NORTH OLMSTED — Lorain mayoral candidate Chase Ritenauer has resigned as North Olmsted’s safety-service director after a federal investigation determined that he was in violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits government workers who deal with federal money from running in partisan elections.

Ritenauer, who is running in the Democratic primary against Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko, said he resigned Sunday to avoid being in violation of the law. Krasienko is also being challenged by City Councilman Mitch Fallis, D-at large.

Ritenauer said he first learned of the investigation — which was spurred by a complaint filed with federal authorities — in February and has been cooperating with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel ever since.

“They basically said if you withdraw your candidacy or resign as safety-service director there’s no issues at all,” he said.

Ritenauer said he didn’t think he’d have a problem remaining on the job in North Olmsted while running for office because he didn’t directly oversee federal grant money as part of his job duties and wasn’t paid through a federal grant. But he was told by federal officials that because he oversaw the police and fire chiefs, who do deal with federal grants, he was actually violating the Hatch Act.

North Olmsted Mayor Kevin Kennedy said he was disappointed to lose Ritenauer and is now looking for a replacement. He said he would consider hiring Ritenauer back if the primary doesn’t go his way.

Ritenauer said that leaving North Olmsted will give him more time to concentrate on the campaign.

“I’m all in for the city of Lorain,” he said.

Read Saturday’s Chronicle for more on this story.