Posted 10:10 am Friday, February 03, 2012
Whitehouse Police Chief On Voluntary Paid Leave During Investigation
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
Whitehouse Police Chief Rick Waller is taking a leave of absence with pay pending the outcome of his investigation, Assistant City Manager Kevin Huckabee announced this morning.
“In discussions between the Whitehouse City Manager Mike Peterson and … Waller it has been decided that the current investigation may cause distractions to the operation of the Police Department,” Huckabee wrote in a news release. Therefore, “Chief Waller and … Peterson have determined that in the best interest of the city of Whitehouse that Chief Waller voluntarily take a leave of absence with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Huckabee added, “Chief Waller has served the city of Whitehouse as police chief for almost 10 years and is looking forward to the matter being resolved so he may return to serving the citizens of Whitehouse.”
Smith County Precinct 3 Constable Dustin Rust announced Wednesday that Fire Chief Ronny Fite and Waller were under investigation by his office for financial irregularities and other undisclosed allegations. However, he said Thursday that all findings will be turned over to the Texas Rangers because the investigation has become “too big” and “too many people are involved.”
Fite currently is being investigated for financial irregularities in the fire department's budget, along with issues from when he worked for the city, Rust said in a news release. Authorities also are investigating other allegations against Fite, who resigned as city manager in 2009 and was terminated from his position as fire marshal effective Jan. 31.
Rust said Wednesday that Waller is being investigated for acquiring fuel in his personal vehicle from city pumps. He was allegedly getting reimbursement from the city while using city fuel, according to a news release.
According to the Huckabee’s news release this morning, Peterson stated that the city of Whitehouse fund accounts are transparent, and that city administration is cooperating with law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.
No charges have been filed, and the cases are still under investigation.
Staff Writer
Whitehouse Police Chief Rick Waller is taking a leave of absence with pay pending the outcome of his investigation, Assistant City Manager Kevin Huckabee announced this morning.
“In discussions between the Whitehouse City Manager Mike Peterson and … Waller it has been decided that the current investigation may cause distractions to the operation of the Police Department,” Huckabee wrote in a news release. Therefore, “Chief Waller and … Peterson have determined that in the best interest of the city of Whitehouse that Chief Waller voluntarily take a leave of absence with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.”
Huckabee added, “Chief Waller has served the city of Whitehouse as police chief for almost 10 years and is looking forward to the matter being resolved so he may return to serving the citizens of Whitehouse.”
Smith County Precinct 3 Constable Dustin Rust announced Wednesday that Fire Chief Ronny Fite and Waller were under investigation by his office for financial irregularities and other undisclosed allegations. However, he said Thursday that all findings will be turned over to the Texas Rangers because the investigation has become “too big” and “too many people are involved.”
Fite currently is being investigated for financial irregularities in the fire department's budget, along with issues from when he worked for the city, Rust said in a news release. Authorities also are investigating other allegations against Fite, who resigned as city manager in 2009 and was terminated from his position as fire marshal effective Jan. 31.
Rust said Wednesday that Waller is being investigated for acquiring fuel in his personal vehicle from city pumps. He was allegedly getting reimbursement from the city while using city fuel, according to a news release.
According to the Huckabee’s news release this morning, Peterson stated that the city of Whitehouse fund accounts are transparent, and that city administration is cooperating with law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation.
No charges have been filed, and the cases are still under investigation.
