Tag Archives: Torrence

Nashville’s DA Closes Investigation of One Local Official, Opens Another

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As District Attorney General Torry Johnson closed an investigation into one elected official Friday, he announced plans to launch another inquiry into a second officeholder, the Tennessean reports.
During a news conference, Johnson said he will be meet next week with officials from the TBI and the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury to investigate Davidson County Clerk John Arriola’s practice of pocketing $40 for marriages he performs and the employment of his campaign treasurer, whose work for the office has been difficult to determine.
At the same news conference, Johnson announced that his investigation into Criminal Court Clerk David Torrence ended with Torrence’s resignation Friday morning after his office found that Torrence averaged no more than a 19-hour workweek for the last 2 1/2 years.
Had Torrence not resigned, Johnson would have sought to oust him with a rarely used state law allowing judges to unseat court clerks.
“We’ve certainly had a run of bad luck,” Johnson quipped.
Neither Arriola or Torrence could be reached for comment Friday.

Embattled Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk Retiring

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Davidson County Criminal Court Clerk David Torrence has applied for his pension with a retirement date effective for July 16, amid an active investigation of his actions while holding office, reports The Tennessean.
Torrence, who was first elected as criminal court clerk in 1994, signed the paperwork for his pension on Wednesday, according to Robin Brown of Metro’s human resources department.
The ongoing investigation by Davidson County District Attorney General Torry Johnson was launched in May after a WSMV Channel 4 story that showed Torrence frequently came to the courthouse only three days a week and used his government vehicle to run personal errands.
Johnson’s office would not comment on the investigation because it is active, spokeswoman Susan Niland said.
The present term Torrence is serving is through 2014. He was re-elected to the office in 2010. Councilman Charlie Tygard was the lead sponsor of a resolution approved by the Metro Council calling for Torrence’s resignation just before the investigation was launched.

Nashville Criminal Court Clerk Investigated

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Prosecutors in Nashville have begun an investigation into Criminal Court Clerk David Torrence following broadcast reports that he works just three days a week and uses his government vehicle for personal errands.
District Attorney General Torry Johnson on Friday said Nashvillians are upset by the actions of Torrence, who is elected.
After the stories aired on WSMV-TV, members of the Metro Council presented a resolution calling for Torrence’s resignation.
He has told the station he takes Wednesday and Friday off every week, and that his office is efficient and well run. He has not responded to the call for his resignation.
Johnson told a news conference the investigation will review records from the past several years.