Soddy Mayor Refutes Rumors

    Soddy Daisy mayor Bob Privett says he's heard the rumors circling in City Hall that he used his influence to help former commissioner Eddie Dent get out of a DUI. Mayor Privett says that is simply not true.

   On July 2nd, Soddy police pulled Dent over. They arrested the former city commissioner for DUI and reckless driving. During the arrest, officer Blake Kincaid says Dent took his right arm off his head and pushed him away. Officer Kincaid says officers took Dent's arms and cuffed him.

   The arresting officer says Dent told him he was an important person, a former commissioner and told him he hoped he like his job because it was history. Mayor Privett told us Dent's wife called him and said officers had roughed up her husband. We asked for the Mayor's call to police dispatch.

    This is the call as provided to NewsChannel 9.  Dispatch: "Soddy Daisy Police, this is Melanie." Mayor Bob Privett:"Melanie, This is Bob." Dispatch: "Yeah, Bob." Mayor: "You still have Eddie there?" Dispatch: "Uh, yeah." Mayor: "Tell them not to move him unitl I get there, Okay." Dispatch:"I sure will, Bob." Mayor: "Thank You." Dispatch:"Bye."

    The mayor says he was only checking on Dent's welfare and did not tell any officer not to arrest the former commissioner. The mayor and police chief say Dent was on a blood thinner at the time of arrest. Chief William Loftis says blood pooling under his skin was visible on Dent's arms.

   Chief Loftis says the mayor did not interfere in his arrest and he says his officers did not abuse Dent. His case has been moved to August 19th.