By Megan Miller, Editor
TRUSSVILLE — Fire Chief Russell Ledbetter and Fire Marshal Steve Reasonover have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of the volunteer fire department after Tuesday’s Trussville City Council meeting.
Fire Chief Russell Ledbatter (L) and Fire Marshall Steve Reasonover (R) have been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation of the Trussville Volunteer Fire Department. Photo via Trussvillefire.com
Trussville has a paid, full-time fire department and a volunteer department. Ledbetter and Reasonover both work for the paid department.
Councilors went into an executive session after regular business was taken care of, and made the announcement upon coming out, prior to officially closing the meeting.
Originally, the council went into executive session alone with with city attorney Whit Colvin. Within minutes, Colvin returned to the council chambers to invite councilmen-elect Zach Steele and Jef Freeman to join the executive session. A short time later, Colvin again returned to chambers to invite mayor Gene Melton to join the executive session.
“Information has come to our attention and it has become necessary for us to look further in to this,” Council President Anthony Montalto said.
Councilman Alan Taylor made a motion that an external law firm be hired to conduct the investigation of the Trussville Volunteer Fire Department.
Taylor’s motion also authorized Melton to place Ledbetter and Reasonover on paid administrative leave.
“For the record, no one has been found guilty of anything, this is just an investigation,” Montalto said. “We want to make this clear and hopefully we’ll get good results.”
Assistant Fire Chief Tim Shotts will be in charge during the investigation.
Assistant Fire Chief Tim Shotts has been named acting chief pending the investigation. Photo via Trussvillefire.com
Sources have told The Trussville Tribune that questions have been raised regarding the expenditure of funds provided to the volunteer fire department by the City of Trussville.
Taylor said the council would not make any comment on matters that are being investigated.
13 Comments
Melanie Price Shores
Well that was informative….
Kinosha K Pettway
I mean really smh
Jill Hargett
Frances Chapman Cole Donna Fields Stephanie Siddle
Shelby Cross Smith
Ohhhhhh dey stealing…..
Kay Hicks
Your in my thoughts Russell
Matthew Norman
I know both men and I can speak of their character. I have no doubt that this will get resolved.
Michael Swatek
I only know Russell Ledbetter and he is the most honorable man that I’ve ever met. He is great for the fire department and the city!!!!
Debbie Carroll Driskill
Great and honorable man
Debbie Carroll Driskill
And why was this even put on face book
Tonya Hardin Yarchak
Debbie, if public money is missing, it’s news. That doesn’t mean anyone is guilty. Could be just bad bookkeeping but it’s the Chiefs job to make sure the books are in order.
Charlotte Penn Summerford
“For the record, no one has been found guilty of anything, this is just an investigation,” Montalto said. “We want to make this clear and hopefully we’ll get good results.”
Matthew Norman
I for one never knew the president of a company to know the protocols of bookkeeping. Just my 2 cents.
Dan Smith
I have the greatest respect and admiration for Russell and Steve. Both men have represented Trussville well and done so much for the community that most people will never hear about because they dont toot their own horn!