Metro Council Investigation Hits a Roadblock

Committee approves subpoena to compel testimony by Mayoral Appointees

 

On Monday, Members of the Louisville Metro Council’s Government Oversight and Audit Committee gathered for a special meeting to begin our investigation into the Fischer Administration and its actions and inactions following the death of Ms. Breonna Taylor. This meeting was announced on July 17, 2020 and invitations to interim LMPD Police Chief Robert Schroeder as well as the Mayor’s Chief of Public Safety Amy Hess had previously been accepted. Unfortunately, a few hours prior to the start of the hearing, attorneys for both Interim Chief Schroeder and Chief Hess informed the committee that they wanted to have the meetings closed to the public.

Such a move would have violated the purpose of the investigation and prevented the public from gaining a better understanding the decisions that led to unrest of over the past few months. Our unwillingness to make these meetings private led Interim Chief Schroeder and Chief Hess to leave the Chambers.  As a result, the members of the Metro Council Government Oversight and Audit Committee voted (10-1) to subpoena these two representatives and an effort to get answers. It is our understanding that, despite comments suggesting a desire to be transparent, the Fischer administration will fight these subpoenas at which point even more time will pass without the transparency and accountability they promised. Should the Fischer Administration take this route, it should be known that the Metro Council stands ready fight for the right get answers and we intend to hold these meetings in a public for all to watch.

Understanding that the subpoenas issued by the Government Oversight and Audit Committee will likely be fought, committee members also started the process of inviting the next participants in hearings to participate in the investigation. Should Interim Chief Schroeder and Chief Hess fight participation in the investigation, the committee will next meet with two additional members of Mayor Fischer’s Administration as well as an appointee involved in redevelopment. Their testimony will help to explain the use of warrants at properties on Elliott Avenue as well as their work with LMPD’s Place Based Investigations Unit. We are hopeful these persons will participate and that the Metro Council can truly start the process of getting answers.   

Upcoming Council Meeting Item:

On Thursday, the Metro Council will pass a resolution meant to bring more accountability to Metro Government by requiring amendments to policies to increase investigation transparency as well as the time in which it takes to conduct such investigations. This resolution along with previous ordinances filed are examples of the Metro Council’s continued efforts to force accountability and transparency into Metro Government. I plan to support this resolution and will continue to work with the bi-partisan group of members of the Metro Council who are fighting to get answers on this and many other matters.