Ouster Effort May Put Rutherford County on the Hook for Two Sheriff Salaries

MURFREESBORO, TN — Rutherford County may end up paying two sheriffs at once, even with one of them in jail in Kentucky.

Nick Leonardo, a legal analyst for WTVF, says that if a judge suspends Rutherford County Robert Arnold during his ouster trial, the county commission is obligated to name a temporary sheriff and that means paying Arnold and his substitute simultaneously.

A group of Rutherford County citizens filed the suit to oust the embattled sheriff after a federal judge revoked his bond and ordered him jailed until his conspiracy trial in the JailCigs scheme begins in February. Arnold has repeatedly refused to resign and that puts the county in a tough position if the judge suspends him once the ouster proceedings — which could take up to 18 months — begin.

"Be careful what you ask for, Rutherford County," said Leonardo.

The sheriff's salary is $127,000 annually and while a suspension would remove Arnold's powers, it wouldn't stop that paycheck.

Image via Rutherford County Sheriff's Department