Nashville Mayor Resigns And Pleads Guilty To Felony Theft

Nashville mayor Megan Barry has resigned and pleaded guilty to felony theft as part of her affair with her police bodyguard.  We often debate whether a politician should give a smiling mugshot (and risk looking non-contrite) or a frowning mugshot (and risk looking guilty).  Barry went with the smiling option.  She will now face three years probation and a criminal fine.

Barry, 54, pleaded guilty to misappropriating more than $10,000 in city funds as part of her affair with Robert Forrest, who supervised the mayor’s security detail.  She agreed to  reimburse the city $11,000  and serve three years of probation.

Forrest also pleaded guilty to criminal theft in connection with the affair and agreed to pay $45,000 restitution to the city.  He will also serve three years probation.  Forrest’s overtime more than doubled with Barry and there were allegations of using official travel as part of the affair.  Forrest accompanied Barry on dozens of trips, including nine on which he accompanied her alone.

Ironically, Barry was once a former corporate ethics and compliance officer.