MENDENHALL, MS (WLBT) - The Mendenhall Police Department is under investigation, possibly for embezzlement.
Liza Shoemaker with the State Auditor's office would say only that her office and the FBI were at the police department Tuesday.
Chief Bruce Barlow was unavailable for comment. Men in suits leaving City Hall would not identify themselves. Mayor Randall Neely said he had no time to comment.
The Board of Aldermen and Mayor Randall Neely held a budget meeting just after 5 Tuesday evening.
For a half-an-hour, the meeting was closed while they discussed personel matters in executive session.
When they emerged, Mayor Neely made a statement to the media saying, "Based on rumors and accusations that are going on in an apparent investigation by other sources, the board has made the decision to place Chief Barlow on administrative leave for an indefinite period of time. Assistant Chief Candy McCullum will assume the role of acting chief until this matter is resolved."
City leaders say Barlow's leave of absence will be paid.
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