Mobile city officials agree to share documents as part of special counsel’s investigation; Prine says process appears objective

The Mobile City Council on Tuesday introduced a resolution authorizing city officials to subpoena documents related to a special counsel’s investigation into allegations made by former police chief Paul Prine.

Prine said he met with the special counsel last week. He found the seven-hour interview objective and was able to share a lot of information.

“Seemed serious, to the point and objective,” he said. “I gave him a lot of information. We’ll see how objective and impartial they will be.”

Now investigators from Birmingham-based law firm Bradley Arant Boult Cummings are requesting a long list of documents from several city officials, including those related to an agreement between the city of Mobile and 321z Insights LLC, the chain of command at the Gulf Coast Technology Center, a final report on Operation Echo Stop, communications between Prine and city officials and any written complaints.

They also want documentation from the administration of all communications related to Prine’s performance as boss.

City Council attorney Michael Linder said he spoke with the special counsel and city attorney Monday night and the resolution is no longer necessary because the city is cooperating with investigators.

“It appears that the special counsel and the city have come to an agreement on the production of documents and witnesses,” Linder said during a workshop before the council meeting. “So the special counsel has agreed not to serve subpoenas on the city or city employees. This will all be done amicably, and I think they have more or less come to an agreement on that.”

Linder said the special counsel still needs a resolution to authorize subpoenas to the out-of-town companies Prine and 321z Insights LLC. Any future resolutions required for subpoenas will be reviewed in two weeks.

Prine publicly stated that there were possible irregularities in city government after he was placed on leave earlier this year. He has detailed some of his allegations, and the special counsel’s investigation will focus on those. The council has approved spending a total of $200,000 for the 45-day investigation.

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