CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Although he has been arrested and accused of theft, Howard Thompson can stay on the Bradley County Commission, his attorney said Friday.
“Our law provides a person serving in public capacity must resign if they are convicted of a crime such as these accusations,” said attorney James Logan.
But just an accusation does not mean the person has to resign, he said, that’s up to the individual.
“People can make their own decisions,” Logan said.
Thompson, a 16-year member of the commission and who was elected to another four-year term in 2010, was indicted by the Bradley County grand jury this week on charges of filing a false report and attempted theft over $1,000.
He has not said whether he will step down from the commission.
“I have continued to receive many calls of support from the community and personal visits,” Thompson said in a statement released through Logan’s office. “Those are greatly appreciated.
“As soon as my attorney and I have had an opportunity to review the charges which have been returned against me, I will promptly provide an appropriate response to the charges and make certain that the public and the media, who have continued to perform their duties, are informed of the decisions which are made.”
The commissioner turned himself in Friday at the Bradley County Jail and was released on his own recognizance.
Bradley County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Bob Gault said Friday that Thompson has been cooperating with investigators throughout the inquiry.
“He turned himself in as soon as we heard about the grand jury indictment,” Logan said.
The attorney said he has not seen the formal charges, since grand jury findings are sealed until released in court.
On Dec. 22, law officers searched Thompson’s home and his flea market on U.S. Highway 64. On Jan. 3, he resigned as chairman of the Commission’s Law Enforcement Committee but kept his seat on the commission.
On Dec. 2, the sheriff’s office was contacted by the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force with information obtained during a routine traffic stop, Gault said.
“An informant had told them that he intended to sell stolen property to Howard Thompson, the owner of a flea market at 5577 Waterlevel Highway,” Gault said.
On Jan. 19, detectives presented the results of their investigation to the county grand jury.
At the Jan. 3 County Commission meeting, Thompson read from a prepared statement, acknowledging he was the subject of a criminal investigation.
“I pledge to you that, to my knowledge, no one has accused me of any wrongdoing in my capacity as a commissioner from the 4th Civil District and that I will take additional steps when and if they become the thing to do,” Thompson said in that earlier statement.
County Attorney Joe Byrd said Friday that “turning himself in is not an admission of guilt.”
“I was told he was indicted by the grand jury and turned himself in so he could make bond and avoid an arrest,” Byrd said.
County Commission Chairman Louie Alford said Friday that the commission is in a wait-and-see mode since Thompson has not entered a plea nor had a trial.
“It will remain status quo with us until his lawyer and our lawyer get together,” Alford said.
District Attorney General Steve Bebb said whether Thompson remains on the commission will not be part of any plea negotiations.
Bradley County has 14 commissioners, two from each of its seven districts. County Commissioner J. Adam Lowe, elected in 2010 to his first term as a 4th District commissioner, said “my prayers are with those close to this difficult situation.”
“I do know that we have fine local law enforcement who are dedicated and diligent,” Lowe said. “I also know that Howard Thompson has served the 4th District of Bradley County for 16 years and has the hearts of many in our district. His record of passionate service affords him the courtesy of due process in this matter.”