SOUTHAVEN, MS (abc24.com) - Attorneys speaking on behalf of Greg Davis announced the embattled Southaven Mayor was taking a medical leave and had no plans to resign from office.
The statement came just minutes before a specially-called meeting by the Southaven Board of Aldermen on January 6, 2012, where they passed a resolution with a 5-1 vote requesting that Davis step down.
Davis' attorney, Steve Farese, would not elaborate on the nature of the mayor's absence, other than to say he would be seeking treatment for the next 30-60 days.
The mayor is being investigated by the state and was ordered to repay $170,000 in tax payer money.
Mayor Davis has submitted $44,000 in receipts, and a check on his behalf for $96,000 was sent to the state auditor's office in December. Aldermen were given packets to review the submitted receipts, which included expensive dinners, thousands of dollars in tips, and at least $18,000 in alcohol.
By law, the board cannot impeach Davis; he must either resign or be convicted of a felony in order to be removed from office. Even with the aldermen's request, Davis could finish his four-year term, which ends in 2013.
Board members told abc24.com that the state investigation into Davis has become a detriment to the city. They were notified last month that MDOT is withholding over $800,000 in grants for city improvements pending the outcome of the investigation.
