Chattanooga police chief resigns, charges filed over TBI residency investigation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WATE) – A former Chattanooga police chief faces charges in connection with an investigation into his residence conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

At the request of District Attorney pro tempore D. Michael Dunavant, TBI agents began investigating Celeste Murphy’s residence in April. According to TBI, Dunavant was appointed district attorney pro tempore by the court after 11th Judicial District Attorney General Coty Wamp recused himself.

The TBI said agents found that “Murphy knowingly made false statements on several government documents relating to his residency in Chattanooga, even though he swore to the truth when he signed the documents.”

On Tuesday, June 25, Murphy was charged with one count of illegal voter registration, one count of making false entries on official registration or election documents, three counts of making false entries on government records, three counts of forgery, three counts of perjury and six counts of malfeasance in office. She turned herself in to TBI agents at the Hamilton County Jail on June 27, where she was arrested and released on $19,000 bail.

“The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely allegations of criminal conduct and are not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted in a due process of law,” the TBI press release said.

Murphy was appointed police chief by Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly in February 2022. WTVC in Chattanooga reported that Murphy resigned on Wednesday, June 26.