DeKalb CEO Fires Chief Terrell Bolton

DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis has fired police chief Terrell Bolton. The decision was made late Monday afternoon even after Bolton sent him a letter outlining reasons on why he should keep his job.

DeKalb County Police Chief Terrell Bolton sent a letter Monday morning to CEO Burrell Ellis, responding to allegations made against him by Ellis.

Ellis announced plans to fire Bolton last week after disturbing allegations surfaced about how the chief carried out county business.

Friday, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis announced plans to fire Bolton, citing repeated examples of insubordination, misusing county property, and conduct unbecoming a chief.

A pre-termination notice sent to Bolton last week gave him a deadline of 10:00 a.m. Monday to respond to the charges and explain why he shouldn't be fired.

The lawyer for DeKalb County Police Chief Terrell Bolton says firing Bolton could violate federal law since he is on medical leave.

Attorney Bill McKenney made the remark Monday in a nine-page letter. McKenney also denies the allegations made against Bolton in a so-called "pre-termination" letter sent Friday by Chief Executive Officer Burrell Ellis.

McKenney says the leave falls under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and cautioned Ellis not to take any action while the chief is on leave.

It was the FOX 5 I-Team that first revealed problems with the chief's liberal use of comp days. He claimed nearly five months of comp time in his first two years on the job, even though police policy said comp time is not allowed for executives.

Since Bolton was placed on leave three weeks ago, there has been near daily controversy about the chief's job performance.

The investigation into Bolton was conducted by DeKalb police and sheriff's investigators. There are also charges that Bolton kept luxury cars seized in drug raids at his house.