Greenbrier Mayor arrested on charges of theft over $60,000 and official misconduct…
Smokey Barn News November 4, 2013 Greenbrier, Tenn.
According to The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Billy Wilson the long time Mayor and Fire Chief of the city of Greenbrier in Robertson County Tennessee was arrested Monday a little after 1pm at City Hall. Wilson has been indicted for allegedly using $60,000 in funds delegated for a Toys For Tots program for personal gain. Billy Wilson has been the mayor of Greenbrier since 2004. The Toys for Tots program helps needy families pay their utility bills and and supplies toys to children on Christmas. $60,000 means it’s a class B felony, the 2nd highest felony to class A….
We don’t know for sure if Wilson will immediately step down as Mayor and Fire Chief but at the moment he has not stepped aside. On Tuesday he arrived at work and made no indication he was leaving. If he does step down or is somehow voted out, Fire Chief Gary Suter and Fire Marshal Larry Diorio would take over for Wilson and Vice Mayor Bonnette Dawson would assume Mayor responsibilities, according to Greenbrier Alderman Wayne Dugger.
Officially the TBI has stated that they arrested Wilson Monday afternoon at Greenbrier City Hall. He was indicted this past Friday by the Robertson County grand jury.
According to a TBI Press release sent to Smokey Barn News…
Billy Eugene Wilson, 56, of Greenbrier, Tenn. was indicted on one count of official misconduct and one count of theft over $60,000 for allegedly taking money for personal benefit from the Greenbrier Toys for Tots charity. The alleged theft took place between November 1, 2005 and October 31, 2013. Wilson allegedly took approximately $60,000 from the charity to pay his personal expenses. Wilson is also alleged to have perpetrated the alleged theft through his position as Mayor, Volunteer Fire Chief and founder of Greenbrier Toys for Tots. The investigation into allegations that Wilson also misused city funds is continuing at this time.
Jim Ball’s recap..
Apparently the Robertson County Grand Jury was presented with enough evidence that they felt Wilson should be indicted. Wilson was picked up at work by the Robertson County Sheriff’s department, transported to the Robertson County detention facility in Springfield and quickly bonded out of jail. It will now be up to him to prove his innocence in court. Wilson is so well known and liked in the area that it may take a little longer to put together an impartial jury to hear his case. He has a reputation of being very generous to families in need.
Wilson was booked into the Robertson County detention facility on $5,000 bond. He has since posted bond and was released.
For Original Story – VIDEO: Greenbrier Mayor Under TBI Investigation For Alleged Misuse Of Toys For Tots Funds Click Here http://youtu.be/uZiWdgX4MTM
Toys For Tots program Will Continue: Greenbrier Mayor Billy Wilson Announces Greenridge Civitans To Continue The Toys For Tots Program This Year Click here
The GreenRidge Civitan Club will be taking over the Toys-for-Tots program this year. “We want to be able to help families in need. We cannot help to the extent that Mayor Wilson was able to, but will try our best to do all that we can.” There is a phone set up for calls. If you know someone who may need help providing for their families at Christmas let them know. The phone # is 615-418-9672. There will be bins for donations at The Farmer’s Bank, The Potting Shed, and opportunities to donate everywhere, we hope. This is for the Greenbrier/Ridgetop area only.
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