Kenneth Moody on Retirement

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Having put in thirteen years of working in city government, retiring Memphis Public Services Director Kenneth Moody knew the time would come when he'd decided to move on with his life.

Hours after tending his retirement Moody told FOX13 News, "The timing of this is probably going to have some people saying, oh, the Sexual Assault Center. Well, he's getting out. No, it's not that."

With the retirement taking effect July 10th, the 43-year old former U of M Tiger basketball star and father of three daughters says despite the firestorm of criticism, mainly directed at him and his office following the scandal over staffing at the MSARC, he believes he did the job to the best of his capabilities. Especially, considering the restrictions placed on him by Mayor Willie Herenton to keep silent about the facilities operations.

Moody reflects, "It's one thing from my days of being a Tiger. You have to be a team player and in doing that I was asked not to speak about it and being the team player and a loyal person that I am I adhered to that.

Yet, Moody admits as the Department Director it was painful to hear the accusations leveled against him and especially the assault on his character by those who never knew the full story, and those Memphis City Council members looking to use the issue as a political springboard for themselves.

Moody laments, "To be portrayed as someone who was insensitive to rape victims hurt me tremendously - and the other part was the accusation of moneys being missing. There were some of them who during this rape crisis incident stood up and were vocal as if they were really concerned about the rape crisis and their victims... and now it's their platform to run for Mayor.

Moody concludes, "My mother raised us that our name is all we have. My honesty and integrity is all I have and when that is questioned that bothers me and it hurts me."