A Louisiana resident called an investigation involving Mayor Tom Wallace “a waste of taxpayer time and money,” and said rumors about the alleged incident are causing untold pain when other issues are more pressing.
The Missouri Highway Patrol is looking into a woman’s claim of an Aug. 25 altercation that she said involved Wallace.
No charges have been filed. Wallace has maintained he did nothing wrong, but has not discussed details because of the ongoing inquiry.
The City Council discussed the issue in a special closed-door meeting Wednesday, but took no action.
“They just wanted to quell all the rumors,” Wallace said afterward.
During an interview while the council was still behind closed doors because of the legal nature of the discussion, resident Robbyn Morris vented her frustrations.
Morris called the investigation “a political ax to grind” by Wallace opponents who were upset that a majority of voters returned him to office last April. Wallace had served as mayor in the 1980s before seeking the office again this year.
“This is all to embarrass the mayor,” Morris said. “We have more important issues to address in this city than all this dog and pony show drama.”
Councilwoman Kathy Smith said the rumors carried no weight.
“The rumors that have been going around are not true,” Smith said. “We are not after the mayor. We’re after more details about an (alleged) incident.”
“You’re not going to stop the rumors,” Wallace shrugged.
The incident purportedly happened at the Jeffrey L. Miller law office at 125 S. Main, just across the street from City Hall. Wallace had gone there to meet with Miller and another person.
Pike County Sheriff Stephen Korte called in the highway patrol after interviewing the alleged victim because the accusations were made against a public official.
The patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control from Troop C in Weldon Spring is handling the inquiry. A spokesman said earlier this week that there is no timetable for completion.
Results will be turned over to Pike County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Fisher, who would decide if charges were warranted.
Wallace reiterated Wednesday that “nothing happened” Aug. 25 and that he planned to continue “doing the city business.”
“I’m trying not to let it bother me,” he said. “It’s hard. I think it’s harder on my family.”
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A Louisiana resident called an investigation involving Mayor Tom Wallace “a waste of taxpayer time and money,” and said rumors about the alleged incident are causing untold pain when other issues are more pressing.
The Missouri Highway Patrol is looking into a woman’s claim of an Aug. 25 altercation that she said involved Wallace.
No charges have been filed. Wallace has maintained he did nothing wrong, but has not discussed details because of the ongoing inquiry.
The City Council discussed the issue in a special closed-door meeting Wednesday, but took no action.
“They just wanted to quell all the rumors,” Wallace said afterward.
During an interview while the council was still behind closed doors because of the legal nature of the discussion, resident Robbyn Morris vented her frustrations.
Morris called the investigation “a political ax to grind” by Wallace opponents who were upset that a majority of voters returned him to office last April. Wallace had served as mayor in the 1980s before seeking the office again this year.
“This is all to embarrass the mayor,” Morris said. “We have more important issues to address in this city than all this dog and pony show drama.”
Councilwoman Kathy Smith said the rumors carried no weight.
“The rumors that have been going around are not true,” Smith said. “We are not after the mayor. We’re after more details about an (alleged) incident.”
“You’re not going to stop the rumors,” Wallace shrugged.
The incident purportedly happened at the Jeffrey L. Miller law office at 125 S. Main, just across the street from City Hall. Wallace had gone there to meet with Miller and another person.
Pike County Sheriff Stephen Korte called in the highway patrol after interviewing the alleged victim because the accusations were made against a public official.
The patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control from Troop C in Weldon Spring is handling the inquiry. A spokesman said earlier this week that there is no timetable for completion.
Results will be turned over to Pike County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Fisher, who would decide if charges were warranted.
Wallace reiterated Wednesday that “nothing happened” Aug. 25 and that he planned to continue “doing the city business.”
“I’m trying not to let it bother me,” he said. “It’s hard. I think it’s harder on my family.”
