Now-retired Columbus Police Lt. John Pevey released a recording Wednesday that, according to him, is evidence Mayor Robert Smith voted out of spite to suspend him Feb. 22.
The roughly 30-minute recording is of a Feb. 2 meeting, where Pevey was chewed out by Smith and now-fired Police Chief Joseph St. John.
Smith, according to the recording, was angry that Pevey mentioned his name in a routine email report about a custody issue involving Smith”s ex-wife and their daughter.
In a parting shot, Smith was recorded telling St. John “it”s not over with.”
Twenty days later, Smith broke a 3-3 tied vote to suspend Pevey for allegedly failing to follow police protocol when another officer totaled a squad car early New Year”s Day.
When Pevey appealed his 20-workday suspension to the Civil Service Commission, he used the recording as the basis for his argument that Smith had not acted in “good faith.”
The commission, which did not listen to the recording, voted 2-1 to uphold the council”s decision.
During the exchange, which can be heard in its entirety online at cdispatch.com, Smith accused Pevey of trying to link him to an issue that he wasn”t involved in.
“There”s no way you can make me believe there wasn”t an ulterior motive,” Smith told him. “I could care less, but this is not normal.”
And when Pevey said he was sorry, Smith replied, “I bet you are.”
Pevey, who is a candidate for Lowndes County sheriff, maintained throughout the meeting that he had included Smith”s name because the incident involved a city official.
“I was trying to cover myself,” he added.
In response, St. John criticized Pevey for “not thinking about what you do.”
“I can”t explain to you everything to do,” he continued. “I can”t be with you every five minutes … You go from not telling me stuff to putting stuff in there that”s not necessary.”
He added: “John, you don”t understand that (Smith) and I, we don”t need to be pulled into the middle of this crap that ain”t any of our business.”
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