Criminal charges against former mayor of Millersville dropped

GALLATIN, Tenn. (WTVF) – Prosecutors dropped charges against former Millersville Mayor Tim Lassiter on Wednesday as the investigation into the city’s troubled police department continues.

Lassiter was arrested by police in April on charges of simulating a crime and tampering with government documents. He was accused of improperly issuing a building permit for work on a fire station in Millersville, despite knowing that the project did not meet building codes.

Assistant District Attorney Thomas Dean announced the decision during a hearing in Sumner County General Sessions Court.

Dean then declined to comment.

“Today, we are glad that an innocent man who was wrongfully targeted by members of the Millersville Police Department can now move on with his life,” Lassiter’s attorney Jay Ingrum said in a prepared statement.

Ingrum thanked the Sumner County District Attorney’s Office for the “thorough investigation of this case.”

“Following its investigation, the prosecution concluded that justice would be served by filing a nolle prosequi or dismissal of the case based on the evidence in this case and the lack of evidence of a crime.”

Lassiter was relieved that his ordeal was apparently over.

“I have always had great respect for the law and the justice system and I believe they have found the path to the right decision,” said the former mayor of Millersville.

The resolution in the Lassiter case comes at a time when Millersville police and their conspiracy-minded Deputy Chief Shawn Taylor are faced with an ongoing TBI investigation.

The lead investigator in the Lassiter case, Todd Dorris, is also being investigated for perjury in connection with a botched operation against a child molester.