Wharton Reacts to Controversial Firing

Memphis, Tn - Before speaking at Tuesday night's Hollywood-Springdale Community Town Hall Meeting, Mayor AC Wharton briefly spoke about the possibility of getting involved in the recent firing of Memphis patrolman and Police Assocation President, J.D. Sewell.

"As mayor of this city it's my job to get all the facts and i simply do not have all the facts."

Wharton says he still needs time to go over the case with the city attorney who's been out of town. He wants to make sure if he does step in, it's legal.

"My basic policy is that I don't get involved in those matters until there's final action and I'm still trying to ascertain whether there's been final action."

Sewell was fired last week after the Memphis Police Department said he used his influence to manipulate a judge to recall an active warrant on another police officer who failed to appear in court on animal cruelty charges.

On Monday, during a support rally, Sewell defended the charges, "I've done nothing wrong. All I’ve done is done what any other labor leader would do to help their member, made a phone call explaining the situation.

Bill Dries with the Memphis Daily News says he thinks Wharton does have an interest in the controversial firing, "These labor unions just got together and essentially agreed to give him a pass for the next year and not ask for a pay increase, in effect, extend their contract for a year, basically his first year in office."