The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

Local News

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. To join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address. Once you do, your comments will post automatically. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
comments powered by Disqus
October 21, 2009

Murray firefighter suspended for alleged DUI

A Murray County Fire Department firefighter has been suspended without pay for allegedly driving under the influence (DUI).

Albert Timothy Mantooth, 39, of 14030 Highway 225 N. in Crandall, was charged by the Georgia State Patrol on Sunday with DUI and failure to maintain lane. He was released from the Murray County Jail later on Sunday on an $1,800 bond.

Fire Chief Dwayne Bain said he learned of the arrest on Monday and took immediate action.

“He has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of his court appearance,” Bain said. “We will be looking at the Probate Court result.”

Bain was asked why Mantooth was suspended without pay when he has not been found guilty.

“In certain situations it can be that way according to county policy,” he replied. “I’m going on the recommendation of the county manager.”

County manager Tom Starnes was asked if it is standard procedure to suspend an employee without pay before being found guilty. He responded, “In this case it was — it’s in accordance with the personnel policy.”

He added that if the employee is found not guilty he or she is given the back pay lost while suspended without pay.

Bain did not say how long Mantooth had been with the force. He was stationed at the main station on G.I. Maddox Parkway. A spokeswoman at the court said Mantooth is scheduled to appear in early November. A phone number found for Mantooth was disconnected.

Text Only
Local News