SAN ANTONIO—San Antonio police’s former assistant chief, facing scrutiny over alleged relationships with a prostitute and cocaine trafficking suspect, has retired.

A police spokesman said Friday that Rudy Gonzales had retired, ending a 34-year career. Gonzales was facing two internal investigations and an investigation by federal prosecutors.

The retirement effectively closes the internal investigations against Gonzales, appointed assistant chief in September 2006. The San Antonio Express-News reports in its Saturday online editions that as of last week, the federal inquiry continued.

Soon after Gonzales’ promotion to assistant chief, a 2002 internal affairs inquiry came to light alleging Gonzales had paid a prostitute for sex. In an internal police interview, Gonzales acknowledged a sexual relationship with the prostitute, but said he didn’t know she worked for an escort service and denied paying her. She recanted and the probe was dropped.

But the investigation was revived by Police Chief William McManus earlier this year after a new confidential witness told officials the allegations were only deemed unfounded because other officers lied to protect Gonzales, the newspaper reports.

The witness also told officials about Gonzales’ relationship with a man arrested and charged in March with conspiracy to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine. Gonzales was known to hang out in a bar the man owns.

While the witness didn’t tie Gonzales to any drug activity, federal prosecutors were examining his association with the man, the newspaper reports.

Soon after the bar owner was arrested, McManus placed Gonzales on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

McManus ordered a second internal investigation on April 11 into Gonzales after allegations surfaced that the assistant chief used his rank to access seats at a Final Four basketball game.

On April 18, McManus demoted Gonzales. At the time, the chief declined to comment, saying only he lacked confidence in him.

A phone number for Gonzales could not immediately be found.