CRB: Investigation into whistleblower complaint is being conducted fairly

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Last week, members of the Community Review Board (CRB) met with attorneys Edward Stanton, Keenan Carter and Larry Cheng of Butler Snow LLP.

Those lawyers are tasked with leading the investigation into the 61-page whistleblower complaint filed in May by a former Nashville lieutenant alleging that police leadership helped craft a law that stripped the board of much of its power.

They were assured that the investigation would be conducted independently of Metro’s legal department and the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). The CRB was told that attorneys assigned to the case would review documents, meet with witnesses and prepare a special report.

The CRB stated that it had received several complaints from MNPD employees and advocated expanding the search beyond the 61-page complaint.

“We want the strongest form of accountability and transparency that the law allows for the Nashville County Board of Review,” said CRB Chair Alisha Haddock.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell appointed an independent investigator to investigate the MNPD following the 61-page whistleblower complaint. A new complaint was recently filed against the MNPD, but the allegations contained in it have not yet come to light. News 2 has confirmed that the complaint is from a current employee of the police department.

“Any Metro employee or Metro department that worked to overturn the votes of 135,000 voters is not acting on behalf of the people and cannot be trusted with public safety or making informed decisions about how we govern the city,” Haddock said.

“I already know what’s going to happen in this investigation,” said one concerned member of the Nashville community. “It’s the same thing that’s happened in all the other investigations. They’re going to come up with some recommendations and then the matter will be filed away and put in a drawer.”

The CRB said lawyers handling the investigation had not provided any information on how long the investigation would take, but had been assured that the case would be handled fairly and impartially.