Former Gadsden mayor, fire chief investigated for wrongful spending
This video is no longer available.
GADSDEN, Tenn. — An eight-page report released by the state comptroller’s office reveals a four-year investigation into spending by a former mayor and fire chief of Gadsden. City officials confirm the report looks at alleged spending by Steve Selph. “I’m very disappointed,” said Janet Smith, who has lived in the town for more than a decade. The documents show financial discrepancies totaling nearly $40,000 classified as “questionable purchases.” “We’d expect our elected officials to look out for the best interest of ‘we the people,’ and when they are dishonest like that it hinders our trust,” resident Sherman Moore said. Personal purchases for cigarettes, oil and gasoline for a personal vehicle charged to tax payers are cited in the report. The report states as of Dec. 31, 2013, the “town of Gadsden had a cash shortage of at least $35,241.” Officials recommends the city take steps to replenish the money. The documents say personal shopping trips were made to Walmart, Lowe’s, J&W Surplus and Office Max. “All those funds that were meant to do some good for us. There’s other programs that could have been funded or could have been taken care of, or issues with the town or city, and we cannot afford to do it,” Moore said. No charges have been filed against Selph, but his former constituents say they are not shocked. “It does not surprise me that they found what they did in this town,” Smith said. Smith said she is going to change the way she votes for elected officials in the future. “I’m not going to vote just because they’re the gold ol’ boy or good ol’ girl anymore,” Smith said. “I want to know more background and know more about the person as an individual.” Selph lost the mayoral election to Linda Milam in 2013. He resigned as fire chief in February 2014. The investigation also states other city officials did not provide “adequate management oversight.” WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News reached out to current mayor Linda Milam who declined to comment.
