Callaway County to end insurance benefits for removed sheriff
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ) -
Callaway County will stop providing insurance benefits to suspended sheriff Clay Chism.
County prosecutor Ben Miller told ABC 17 News that the county plans to cease health and life insurance benefits to Chism after March 31. County human resources director Leah Laramore said the county pays $600 a month for an employee's health insurance and $3.60 a month for a life insurance.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety revoked Chism's peace officer's license this month over numerous instances of Chism being drunk both on and off the clock. Chism pleaded guilty to DWI in one of those instances from a 2022 Randolph County case. Callaway County officials confronted Chism at least two times in 2023 when they noticed he was intoxicated at work.
Chism had continued to receive county employment benefits, including pay, for months following his court-ordered removal in June. Callaway County had been paying both Chism and interim sheriff Daryl Maylee a sheriff's salary until the county suspended Chism's salary in February.
Chism continues to face a civil case in which the county is seeking his permanent removal. Miller told ABC 17 News that the revocation of Chism's license does not end the case, but can be used as evidence in the removal. Missouri law requires a sheriff to have a valid peace officer's license in order to serve.
Miller said he has asked Chism's attorney, James Towey, about possible dates in which to hold a trial over Chism's removal. A court hearing has not yet been set.
