Walter Sutton, Director of Environmental Services & Sanitation, was asked to retire this week, a month earlier than scheduled, Vice Mayor Andy Wallace confirmed Tuesday.

  Wallace did not confirm reports called in to WLAF that Sutton had been let go after he was filmed pumping gas from a county pump into his personal vehicle.

His departure was the result of an unfortunate personal decision,” Wallace pointed out, as Mayor E. L. Morton was in Knoxville and not available for further comment. 

David Carroll is currently a foreman for Environmental Services & Sanitation and has been tabbed to serve as interim director.

Morton is due to present his selection of a replacement for Sutton at the county commission meeting on Monday. The commission cannot make a decision on a new director, but must either approve or reject the Mayor’s nominee. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 12/12/2018-8:15AM)