UPDATE: Mayor Hammock’ Charges and information has now been posted to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Website. See Below.
BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
The Tallassee City Council is expected to confer with legal counsel regarding any possible action against Mayor Johnny Hammock after his arrest for domestic violence strangulation over the weekend in Orange Beach.
Hammock will remain in the Baldwin County Jail until he can be seen before a judge on the first degree domestic violence charge, which is a felony accusation. His official mugshot and arrest information are now published on the Baldwin County Sheriff’s website at the time of this report.
This arrest is unrelated to an investigation into allegations against the Mayor and other current and former city officials.
Last year, the Tallassee City Council released information on an ongoing investigation. They also removed Hammock from his role as Superintendent of Utilities. This brought about a lawsuit against the city by Hammock which is still ongoing.
Hammock was campaigning for his bid for the Public Service Commission Place 1 while down in Orange Beach, prior to his arrest for domestic violence. He had created page for his run for Public Service Commission Place 1, but it is currently unavailable.
As for the allegations behind the ongoing, unrelated investigation, this is what was released last year by the council.
The Allegations:
Harassment or harassing communications directed to City of Tallassee employees and officials, among others, the Mayor of Tallassee, the former Building Inspector for the City of Tallassee and (the now former) Tallassee Police Chief.
The requirement by the Mayor of Tallassee or its former Building Inspector that employees of the City of Tallassee work on or participate in business or projects that were not part of the operations of the City of Tallassee during regular work hours of the City.
The alteration of purchase orders by the City Clerk and the City’s Accounts Payable/Payroll Clerk.
Purchase of equipment, goods and services by the Mayor without the approval of the Tallassee City Council to include but not limited to the purchase of a motor vehicle; expenses related to the Mayor’s campaign for the Alabama Public Service Commission; payment to a business owned or controlled by the former Building Inspector for tree and shrubbery cutting and debris removal; and seeking and receiving reimbursement from the City of Tallassee for certain expenses unrelated to City business operations.
Attempts by the Mayor’s assistant to interfere in or impede the investigation of complaints against the Mayor.
Purchase of certain supplies and goods at the City’s expense by the City Clerk and the City’s Accounts Payable/Payroll Clerk without the approval of the Mayor or other appropriate city official.
Misuse of leave time and inappropriate accrual of leave time by the City Clerk and the City’s Accounts payable/Payroll Clerk.
The resolution approved last year reads, “Whereas, the City Council has been unable to resolve these allegations;
Now, Therefore, the City Council of the City of Tallassee hereby requests that these matters be investigated by an appropriate law enforcement agency of the State of Alabama and that, based on the results of investigation, whatever action may be appropriate be pursued.”
The next regularly scheduled meeting for the City of Tallassee is scheduled for Jan. 25. However, if a special called meeting is set prior to that time, we will publish the date and time.
As to what all of this means for Mayor Hammock, as well as his bid for Public Service Commission, that remains to be seen.
Many on social media are calling for Hammock’s resignation, or for the Council to take action to have him removed from office. As stated earlier, we have learned the council will be speaking with their attorney to see what, if any, action can or will be taken.
At this point, Hammock is considered innocent until proven guilty of any charge.
He had a former arrest in connection with a reported road rage incident in 2020, but those charges were later dismissed.
