Athens Police Chief Suspended Without Pay for 30 Days
The fall out continues in Athens, Tennessee over cash, drugs and a handgun missing from missing police custody after July of 2006. A "If we can't trust the police officers who can we trust?" says Athens resident Tracey Townzen. For residents, It's a disappointing case of alleged police misconduct. A recent audit by the Tennessee Comptroller's office details $46,000, nearly 2 pounds of marijuana, 2 ounces of cocaine, 700 prescription pills and a hand gun turned up missing from police custody between July 2006 and last October. Friday Police Chief Chuck Ziegler got suspended for thirty days without pay after an investigation into the missing evidence. Ziegler reportedly failed to implement proper procedures. In a statement Chief Ziegler tells News 12, quote, I have acknowledged my responsibility for the procedural issues identified in the Comptroller's report at the Athens Police Department. I have received disciplinary actions for that mistake and I am taking the appropriate steps to ensure that the Athens Police Department is in full compliance with the procedures that are set out by the Comptroller's Office. Former Athens police detective Bill Matthews resigned in January after an investigation into the missing evidence. He reportedly confessed to taking at least $8900. A McMinn County grand jury declined to indict him. The comptroller's report says the audit was done to help the TBI's investigation, after Athens police department officials discovered a discrepancy in seized cash. Click here and look for the Athens Police Department report dated 5/29/2008. 
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