The city of Marion has paid thousands of dollars to an outside attorney but as of know, city leaders are not saying why. The news of the cost to taxpayers comes after the recent resignation of Marion's top two police officers.

Police Chief Joesph McHale announced his resignation in April. His last day on the job was on Monday. Deputy Chief Doug Slagle has also announced his resignation effective July 5th. Both came after KCRG learned that Marion had hired an attorney to look into the police department. Police Chief McHale says that the investigation did not influence his decision to leave the department, while Deputy Chief Slagle says that he is resigning for personal reasons.

The resigning officers and the city of Marion have refused to comment on the situation. However, documents uncovered by KCRG through the Iowa Open Records Request shows that the city has paid nearly $14,000 to attorney Fran Haas. Haas specializes in Title IX investigations involving discrimination and harassment.

Redacted documents show that the investigation was completed on April 24th, two days before McHale announced he was resigning. Slagle would resign days later in early May. Records show that the Marion Police Department has only had one documented case of sexual harassment since 2016. It took place between January 1st and April 19th of this year.

 

[via KCRG]

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