Local Radar

Mayor Campbell counters rumors
web posted February 22, 2006

JOHNSTON – Johnston Mayor Dean Campbell issued a press release early this week to counter what he said were rumors circulating the town accusing the Mayor of withholding information regarding the completion of the investigation into Johnston Police Chief Butch Easler. “I have been forthright, straightforward, and honest in my updates to citizens regarding the ongoing investigation. I assure you, nobody wants the investigation over quicker than I do,” Mayor Campbell said.

The investigation of Chief Easler stems from a SLED investigation into improprieties that were announced on September 23, 2005. Since then, rumors of the investigation being over began in December, 2006 with some claiming Chief Easler had been cleared. Mayor Campbell said in the press release, “I wrote to Attorney General Henry McMaster on Feb. 6, (2006) I asked for a quick decision from them. This letter follows several phone calls to SLED and to the Attorney General’s Office I have made since the investigation began five months ago. In each call, I simply reminded them of the need to finish their investigation and decision-making process expeditiously.”

In the press release provided by Mayor Campbell, he too acknowledged in a letter dated February 6, 2006, to SC Attorney General Henry McMaster; “SLED’s work on this case began in September, and they tell me they completed their investigation, as well as your office’s follow-up requests, by the end of December.”  In a reply letter dated February 10, 2006, SC Attorney General Henry McMaster wrote, “Our office cannot make a prosecutorial decision until we receive all investigative information from SLED.”

Until SLED and the Attorney General’s Office officially release they have finished the investigation no official announcement by the media or the Town of Johnston can be made.

It is widely believed that additional investigations may have been opened once the investigation into Chief Easler began in September. Additional investigations would explain why one particular investigation would be over, however the total investigation is not completed.

The SC Attorney General’s Office and SLED have not commented on that aspect of the case.

Mayor Campbell stated in his release, “When I am apprised of the results of the investigation, I will inform the public quickly.” Denouncing the rumors Mayor Campbell said, “Those in the community who would suggest otherwise either choose to be uninformed or are deliberately misleading the public.”
 
 

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