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Last updated on Saturday, February 16, 2013
(LYONS) - Lyons Town Marshal Ron Sparks has been placed on administrative leave at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15.
Anna Rochelle of the Greene County Daily World reports that Sparks will receive pay and benefits for 28 days.
The Lyons Town Council met with Town Attorney Lucas Rudisill Thursday evening in an executive session called for the purpose of discussing a personnel matter concerning Sparks. Executive sessions are not open to the public.
Immediately following their executive session, the Council met at 6 p.m. in a special session in order to take action.
Special sessions are open to the public, and the public was there - a room full of people came to observe, but they didn't get a chance to speak.
Council President Scott Powers said the purpose of the meeting was to take action on the employment status of Sparks due to the preliminary charges that have been filed against him.
Sparks is accused of criminal confinement, a class D felony, and battery, a class B misdemeanor, that allegedly occurred on Nov. 3, 2012.
Following an investigation by Special Prosecutor Barry Brown, a criminal case was filed against Sparks on Feb. 8 and a warrant issued for his arrest. Sparks turned himself in at the Greene County Sheriff's Department then was released the same day after posting a cash bond.
Sparks is scheduled to appear in Greene Superior Court at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday for an initial hearing.
Sparks will receive full pay and benefits through March 14 - 28 days. He is to return equipment owned by the town, and the council also specified that during his leave, he will receive no reimbursement from the town for being a firefighter.
Powers did say that if Sparks is exonerated from the charges, the council may readdress the issue of back pay.
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