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ACC Government Reaches Settlement with Former ACC Police Officer

The ACC government has reached a settlement with a former ACCPD officer. Commissioners voted Tuesday night to approve a settlement with Taylor Saulters, who was fired last year after hitting a fleeing suspect with his police vehicle. Saulters had filed a slander lawsuit against the ACC government and several individuals.

“The suit was against former chief of police Scott Freeman, Epifanio Rodriquez, who I believe was chief Freeman’s information officer, Blaine Williams and Richard Odom,” Commissioner Jerry NeSmith said.

NeSmith says Saulters is under a confidentially agreement. In addition, the county is also unable to comment on many of the details.

“The settlement was $250,000, we agreed to pay him within a few days,”NeSmith said. “This brings it to a close, everyone agrees that the matter has been resolved.”

The vote was six to two in favor of the settlement, with commissioners Tim Denson and Patrick Davenport voting against the move.

“Should be obvious to everyone that the county believed that we didn’t really want the expenses and risk of going to trial with this matter, or that pain of that process and so the best thing for us to do was to reach this settlement,”NeSmith said.

NeSmith, who is also Mayor Pro-Tem, did not vote on the matter. Mayor Kelly Girtz unable to attend the meeting.