Callaway County still paying suspended sheriff after DWI plea
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)
Suspended Callaway County sheriff Clay Chism continues to collect pay from the county weeks after admitting to driving while intoxicated.
Callaway County Human Resources Director Leah Laramore told ABC 17 News that Chism has been paid $72,487.90 since his suspension on June 9. His last paycheck came on Dec. 29, 11 days after he pleaded guilty to DWI in Randolph County.
Chism continues to get paid since his suspension in June. A judge ordered his temporary removal due to concerns over his drinking habits. The state suspended his peace officer's license that same day. His guilty plea stemming from the November 2022 arrest in Moberly netted him a two-year unsupervised probation term.
In the meantime, the county has also been paying interim sheriff Darryl Maylee a sheriff's salary while he's served that role. Callaway County Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said he would meet with commissioners next week to discuss how to handle the pay situation in 2024. Jungermann told ABC 17 News that he understood the possible budget worries of paying two sheriffs.
Chism faces an Administrative Hearing Commission meeting on Jan. 17 over his peace officer's license. Jungermann said he was looking forward to a decision from that group to help the county decide on how to move forward.
Chism is the only person with paperwork filed to run for Callaway County sheriff in 2024. His latest fundraising report shows that he has more than $12,000 in the bank. He has not received a donation since May.
