MFD chief gives up Three I pay

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
April 1, 2003
Meridian Fire Chief H.C. "Bunky" Partridge will no longer be paid by Three I Public Safety Inc. part of an apparent settlement with the Mississippi Ethics Commission over alleged ethics violations.
Nancy East, executive assistant for Attorney General Mike Moore, said Monday that Partridge made an offer to the Ethics Commission to stop being paid by Three I.
Monday's decision came more than a month after Moore's office told Partridge the Ethics Commission found "probable cause" he had violated state ethics laws in work he did and pay he received from Three I and the city of Meridian.
Three I is a nonprofit regional training center in Meridian that trains firefighters, law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel to handle disaster and emergency situations.
Three I is on city-owned property on Sand Flat Road south of U.S. 45.
In a letter to Partridge dated Feb. 10, the attorney general's office said he may have violated ethics laws by being paid $2,570 a month, or $30,840 a year, by Three I since January 2002 while also drawing his annual fire chief salary of $60,000 from the city.
But in another letter to Partridge dated Monday sent after Moore's office investigated the Ethics Commission charges the attorney general said he "found that there was no criminal wrongdoing in accepting the salary from Three I."
Moore also said Partridge will not be required to repay any funds to the city of Meridian. And, Moore wrote, "As discussed in our meeting you have agreed to stop being paid by Three I Public Safety Inc."
Partridge said today he is happy with Moore's decision.
Even though he will no longer be paid by Three I, Partridge said he will continue to stay involved with the training center.
Partridge said it was his decision and not an offer made to settle the case to stop being paid by Three I.
Partridge said Moore seemed to be pleased with his work at Three I.