PRINEVILLE, OR — After initially refusing, the City of Prineville has released the investigative report that led to the firing of Police Chief Eric Bush.
The 277-page report contains 259 instances of what the report determined to be misuses of funds and violations of ethics standards.
The former chief had filed a $2.5 million lawsuit the day after his dismissal, claiming that he was terminated due to his service in the National Guard.
In interviews with thirteen various police officers and civil administrators, some expressed that Bush was prioritizing military service over police duties.
But it was the alleged misrepresentation of flex time and blurring between military and police duties that the report say give cause for termination.
The flex time system allows city employees to document hours of overtime worked in order to take those hours off later. Aaron Olson of the Local Government Personnel Institute reports to have found 39 instances of Bush over-reporting those hours.
The report also cites four instances of Bush’s use of a city vehicle and gas card to conduct military service, and the use of his military laptop while on-duty.
Olson’s report came at the expense of $50,000 to the city. The City reported to have paid the former chief $128,000 in wages and benefits while awaiting the investigation outcome.
An Oregon Department of Justice investigation of Bush for official misconduct and theft is ongoing.
KBNW’s requests for comment were referred to City Attorney Carl Dutli’s office, who refused.
If you see local news happen, call the Horizon Broadcasting Group News Tip Hotline at 541-323-NEWS, or email us.
