The Sun-Sentinel today filed in the city clerk's office at Charleston City Hall, a formal public information request under provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, seeking official correspondence sent to recently fired Charleston police chief Luther Folson Jr.
The Sun-Sentinel also delivered a copy of the information request letter to City Attorney William R. Sanders.
The specific correspondence being sought reportedly outlined allegations made against Folson and notified him of a then upcoming Sept. 5 disciplinary hearing.
Under state law, the city has seven business days in which to respond to the request.
The Charleston Board of Commissioners conducted the disciplinary hearing, which afforded Folson the opportunity to address the allegations against him, in executive session — not uncommon in situations involving personnel matters. The board then voted unanimously Tuesday night to fire Folson.
The Sept. 5 termination letter addressed to Folson, a copy of which has been obtained by The Sun-Sentinel, references "various allegations as contained in your notice of disciplinary hearing" but does not list them.
No one in an official capacity has been willing to speak publicly about those allegations.
Contacted Friday afternoon, Ward 4 Commissioner Sandy Frieson Smith, who had seconded Ward 3 Commissioner Tawanda Shannon's motion to fire Folson, declined to comment on the matter.
"They told me that you already done filed the thing with the city clerk, so we'll get back with you next week," Sandy Smith told The Sun-Sentinel via telephone.
Responding to an earlier telephone voice message from The Sun-Sentinel, Shannon dropped by the newspaper office late Friday and commented, "Mr. Folson knows what the allegations were and the reason for his termination. If he wants to share that, that is his right."
Shannon added that the city would be reviewing the newspaper's request for release of the document and make a decision within the allotted time.
