VENICE — One Venice police officer has resigned and another has been exonerated for their roles in an off-duty altercation at the Sarasota Ale House in January.

An investigative report released Thursday concluded that Corey Quinlan, 26, caused a drunken disturbance at the Ale House during a New England Patriots football game.

Quinlan was accused of abusing his position as a police officer by bragging about his gun and badge, attacking restaurant workers and causing such a disturbance he was escorted out of the Ale House three times.

A video of the incident helped investigators conclude that Quinlan should be fired, but he resigned earlier this month, in the middle of the investigation, said Police Chief Julie Williams.

"It is irresponsible and reprehensible," said Williams, who has been chief for two years. "It's not reflective of individuals who work for the police department."

By contrast, the investigation cleared first-year officer Brett Woodworth, 25.

Venice police Lt. Michael Rose, the investigator, said Woodworth sought to calm the situation and avoid a confrontation, and cooperated throughout the investigation.

"Several witness accounts corroborate Officer Woodworth quelled the disturbance," the report states.

Venice police officials were alerted to the bar brawl by a couple, Michael and Shannon Lynch, who clashed with Quinlan on Jan. 12.

Quinlan and a handful of friends "were drunk, bouncing around the place and yelling and screaming" during the game, Shannon Lynch told the Herald-Tribune in January.

Earlier, a few words were exchanged between the two groups. More words were exchanged after Quinlan's wife, Jamie Nelson, threw water at Quinlan and wet the Lynches' table.

Michael Lynch confronted Quinlan and his wife.

Woodworth intervened and Quinlan was escorted out of the bar by fellow Venice Police officer Bill Long to cool off. Quinlan came back in and was ejected two more times from the restaurant near Bee Ridge Road and Cattlemen Road, according to the report.

The last time, a bar employee called 911 after Quinlan bragged about having a gun, yelled obscenities and swung at employees.

"He stated he had a badge and gun and would get them and arrest the staff of the Ale House," the report said.

Quinlan also failed to cooperate with the internal investigation, according to the report.

"During Officer Quinlan's interview he repeatedly told untruths, changed his story, minimized his actions and distorted his version of the incident to try and avoid accepting responsibility for his action," Rose wrote in the report.

Quinlan told investigators he was defending his wife and brother-in-law from Michael Lynch's aggressive behavior.

The investigation found that Quinlan, who had been with the department for a little more than a year, violated 12 different city and police rules.