Police release written statements, member of Ethics Commission walks out of meeting

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The police officers involved in the controversial traffic stop of an Allen County councilman have released statements to the county's ethics commission.

For close to five months the Allen County Ethics Commission has been investigating County Councilman Paul Moss. Monday we learned what happened at the traffic stop back in June. Officers submitted statements to the commission. After Moss called the Sheriff to expedite the process, he was let go and told to find a ride home since he didn't appear to be drunk.

"Officer Stuckey said he was not convinced at the time and he decided to err on the side of caution and the other officer stated that he was simply being overly cautious as well," Ethics Commission member Tom Hardin said.

Two of the three members feel that since Moss asked to expedite the process that he was given a favor.

"I can support the position of that there was soliciting of a favor given the unique nature of the relationship," Ethics Commission member Wendy Stein said.

Not everyone felt there was wrong doing though.

"If you're suggesting that there was ill motive on the part of Councilman Moss with respect to a favor that is bribery and that should be referred to the prosecuting attorney. Otherwise, we should dismiss this and quit screwing around with it," Ethics Commission member Thomas Ryan said.

During the discussion of where to go from here, retired Judge Thomas Ryan got frustrated and walked out.

Moss' attorney feels the commission doesn't have ground to bring in Moss for questioning.

"Councilman Moss said 'I've been out here for 45 minutes, can we move this along?' That cannot form the foundation for an ethics complaint. If there's nothing else it's disturbing that we're going this far," Moss' attorney Tim Pape said.

The Ethics Commission has asked Moss to appear for questioning at their next meeting on November 30th.