Information from WYSH Radio

The Anderson County Commission’s Operations Committee did not end up discussing Monday night whether to pay the legal bills of Public Works Director David Crowley in connection to his acquittal in April on charges that he illegally inspected buildings without the proper certification. In fighting the charges, Crowley’s legal bill came to $59,258.62.

Crowley had requested that the Commission do what it has done before in cases when a public official faced, but was acquitted of, charges related to their governmental posting. But during the May meeting of the County Commission, some commissioners questioned whether Crowley had followed proper procedure in submitting his request for reimbursement. The question was referred to the Operations Committee and was the first item on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.

But Crowley was not in attendance when the meeting began, and commissioners voted to put it on the end of the agenda due to his absence. Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank pointed out that Crowley’s presence was not necessary since the matter had been referred back to committee by the full Commission. When the topic came up again, Crowley was still not present. Commissioner Jerry White made a motion to pay Crowley’s legal bill, but discussion ended before it began due to a lack of a second. In the end, no action was taken, and the question of Crowley’s legal fees continues. [Read more…]