Tools

Director and employee on leave pending criminal investigation

Story Created: Jul 14, 2010 at 4:26 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2010 at 7:42 PM CDT

The Columbus Police Department's investigation into Columbus Parks
and Recreation has now been deemed a criminal investigation, according to city attorney, Clifton Fay.

Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington first called for the audit on May 28. The audit came after an audit, during which city officials say they found the department spent as much $150,000 on travel teams. The travel teams go across the country to tournaments. But not all players are from the Columbus area. Some come from Alabama and Florida.

Don Jackson, defense attorney for director Tony Adams and Parks and Rec. employee, Herman Porter now says the two have been placed on paid administrative leave.

Jackson also said, "From day one this was already a criminal investigation, calling this an administrative investigation was just a mode of depriving people of their constitutional rights. Today is no different from yesterday."

On Tuesday, Mayor Wetherington told NBC 38, "Well this is an administrative police investigation. It may turn criminal if we find evidence. Right now it's just an administrative investigation."

Stay with NBC 38 for the latest on this developing story.