Just moments after she plead guilty to felony theft for over $10,000, Nashville’s mayor Megan Barry resigned during a news conference on Tuesday morning (March 6).
On January 31, Barry admitted she had a nearly two-year affair with the head of her security detail, police Sgt. Rob Forrest, which began in the spring of 2016.
Not long after, a report by USA Today Network revealed that Forrest “racked up hundreds of hours in overtime” escorting Barry to hockey games, hot yoga classes, concerts, and restaurants. He was also the only city employee on at least ten taxpayer-funded trips with Barry during the time of their affair. The Tennessean reports his overtime pay added up to over $170,000 during Barry’s time in office.
Forrest accompanied Barry to San Francisco, Kansas City, and Athens, Greece – and Barry herself has revealed that they stayed days after her meetings, conferences, or tours were over.
With Barry’s guilty plea to felony theft, she must reimburse the city and serve three years probation. News Channel 5 reports Barry will have to pay back $11,000. Forrest plead guilty to criminal theft and agreed to pay $45,000 restitution to the city of Nashville because of the overtime pay he racked up. He will also get three years probation.
Barry was huge supporter of country music, and even helped singer Maren Morris during a scary time in her life.
I get why it had to be this way, but I’m very sad Megan Barry is resigning. As the mayor of Music City, she always came to shows. Years ago, she and Sgt. Forrest helped me by taking care of a really terrifying stalker issue I had. I felt safer as an artist in Nashville.
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) March 6, 2018
Barry herself tweeted her resignation letter on Tuesday morning following the news conference.
It has been the honor and it has been the privilege of my entire professional life to have had the blessing of this opportunity to be your mayor. I love you, Nashville. https://t.co/19DmJnJG0C
— Megan Barry for Congress (TN-7) (@MeganCBarry) March 6, 2018
Vice Mayor David Briley will soon be sworn in as mayor as the result of Barry’s resignation. Watch her resignation below.