LOCAL

Former federal prosecutor Stanton to lead investigation into Trezevant allegations

Daniel Connolly
Memphis Commercial Appeal

 Former federal prosecutor Ed Stanton will lead a team of lawyers to investigate allegations of illegal activity raised in the resignation letter of former Trezevant High School principal Ronnie Mackin.

The appointment of Stanton and attorneys Paul Lancaster Adams and J. Scott Newton was announced at a specially called Shelby County Schools Board meeting Thursday evening by the school system's in-house attorney Rodney G. Moore.

U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton in a photograph received from his office for files October, 2012

The three lawyers won't look into the grading issue that surfaced several months ago, but rather will examine Mackin's June 1 letter that alleges wrongdoing within the school system, including financial impropriety and workplace harassment, Moore said. The three lawyers will do their work as an ongoing audit investigation continues.

“Again, they have charged with the right and responsibility to not only report to this board, to this superintendent and our counsel, but to any independent governmental agency or any other entity they deem correct and proper,” Moore said.

Moore said he chose Stanton and the other members of the team based on their integrity and other factors, and that they'll be paid an hourly rate. He said he couldn't provide the rates or an overall investigation cost, but said that after the first couple of weeks, the legal department should be able to estimate the budget. One challenge is that the allegations in the former principal's letter are broad, he said, and they don't give a clear road map toward investigating the matter.

Superintendent Dorsey Hopson said he has much empathy for Mackin, who recently lost a child, and said his allegations should be taken seriously. On the other hand, Hopson said Mackin himself made allegations against other people, and Hopson said people shouldn't rush to judgement against them, either.

“And I think board members, that’s what’s been so troubling to me over the past week," Hopson said. "That’s what’s been so bitterly disappointing to me.”

Stanton, whose full name is Edward L. Stanton III, stepped down as top federal prosecutor for West Tennessee following the election of President Donald Trump. 

Board members also voted 5-0 on Thursday to approve to have an outside attorney review the contract extension for the superintendent. The board had voted on May 30 to extend the contract through the 2019-2020 school year.

Moore, the school system's legal counsel, said the Thursday evening vote could be challenged, since the board had already signed off on the contract extension. But he said he didn't want to get into the middle of dispute between board and superintendent, since he has to work with everyone.

Numerous Hopson supporters came to the meeting and held up signs that said "He's Ours! #SuptHopsonStays" and "Tricks are for kids!"

Supporters of Superintendent Dorsey Hopson hold signs supporting him during the June 8 specially called meeting. Among them is parent Kristin Carlin, in the center.

Board chairman Chris Caldwell, who had called for the contract review, has said there's no link between it and the Trezevant investigations, but that it's simply good practice for a big, complex organization. Voting along with him Thursday in favor of the contract review were board members Teresa Jones, Stephanie P. Love, Miska Clay-Bibbs and Mike Kernell.  Other board members were not at the meeting.