POWDER SPRINGS - Former Powder Springs Police Chief L. Rick Richardson decided not to appeal his firing, Mayor Pat Vaughn announced Wednesday morning at what was to be an appeal hearing.
Richardson's lawyer, Harlan Miller of Atlanta, notified City Attorney Richard Calhoun of the change in plans via e-mail Monday night. Richardson - who did not appear Wednesday - did not state a reason for withdrawing his appeal in the e-mail, Vaughn said.
She and the Council then went into executive session for nearly four hours to discuss possible litigation and other issues related to the termination. In February, City Manager Rick Eckert confirmed that he had fired Richardson after concluding that Richardson had not followed protocol in selling two police vehicles for less than their market value and in making an unauthorized donation on behalf of the city.
Calhoun said later Wednesday that the Cobb Sheriff's Office investigation of Richardson's actions was the primary focus of the executive session, and that possible litigation was discussed. No lawsuit has been filed against the city, he said.
"There are always claims that are made to potential litigation and things like that," Calhoun said. "There were threats of litigation, I think right after he was terminated. So those are still out there. We're entitled to discuss that."
The mayor and council, which together make up the appeal board, were not allowed to view the sheriff's investigation before the scheduled appeal hearing. Therefore, they took the opportunity to look at the investigation's findings, Calhoun said.
"From Thanksgiving till now, they were not allowed to know anything about this," he said.
Richardson's attorney, Harlan Miller of Atlanta, did not respond by press time to an e-mail asking for comment from him or his client.
In February, Eckert confirmed that he had fired Richardson, after the Journal reported news of his termination.
A letter from Eckert to Richardson regarding the firing stated that he had lost confidence in the 17-year police veteran's ability to effectively run the police department, after an investigation into the sale of two police vehicles at below market value, as well as the unauthorized donation of a city-owned camera system by Richardson. Those actions did not follow city protocol, Eckert said.
The city has begun a search for an interim police chief.
Richardson's lawyer, Harlan Miller of Atlanta, notified City Attorney Richard Calhoun of the change in plans via e-mail Monday night. Richardson - who did not appear Wednesday - did not state a reason for withdrawing his appeal in the e-mail, Vaughn said.
She and the Council then went into executive session for nearly four hours to discuss possible litigation and other issues related to the termination. In February, City Manager Rick Eckert confirmed that he had fired Richardson after concluding that Richardson had not followed protocol in selling two police vehicles for less than their market value and in making an unauthorized donation on behalf of the city.
Calhoun said later Wednesday that the Cobb Sheriff's Office investigation of Richardson's actions was the primary focus of the executive session, and that possible litigation was discussed. No lawsuit has been filed against the city, he said.
"There are always claims that are made to potential litigation and things like that," Calhoun said. "There were threats of litigation, I think right after he was terminated. So those are still out there. We're entitled to discuss that."
The mayor and council, which together make up the appeal board, were not allowed to view the sheriff's investigation before the scheduled appeal hearing. Therefore, they took the opportunity to look at the investigation's findings, Calhoun said.
"From Thanksgiving till now, they were not allowed to know anything about this," he said.
Richardson's attorney, Harlan Miller of Atlanta, did not respond by press time to an e-mail asking for comment from him or his client.
In February, Eckert confirmed that he had fired Richardson, after the Journal reported news of his termination.
A letter from Eckert to Richardson regarding the firing stated that he had lost confidence in the 17-year police veteran's ability to effectively run the police department, after an investigation into the sale of two police vehicles at below market value, as well as the unauthorized donation of a city-owned camera system by Richardson. Those actions did not follow city protocol, Eckert said.
The city has begun a search for an interim police chief.
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