Nashville Mayor Resigns, Owes City $11K Over Affair

Megan Barry will repay the city to cover payments to former bodyguard
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 6, 2018 11:10 AM CST
Nashville Mayor Resigns Over Affair With Bodyguard
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry in an August file photo.   (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

It was a scandal she couldn't survive: Nashville Mayor Megan Barry not only resigned on Tuesday, she pleaded guilty to felony theft related to her affair with a former bodyguard. As part of her plea deal, Barry agreed to repay the city $11,000—in part to make up for money the city paid to have that bodyguard accompany her on trips, reports the AP. Barry got three years of probation instead of jail, per the Tennessean. When the scandal first broke, Barry said she intended to remain in office, but the story worsened when prosecutors uncovered nude photos on the cellphone of Sgt. Robert Forrest, and communications between Barry and Forrest suggesting they had liaisons while Forrest was officially on duty.

"While my time today as your mayor concludes, my unwavering love and sincere affection for this wonderful city and its great people never ends," Barry said at a news conference. Forrest, who retired when the scandal broke, pleaded guilty to criminal theft and will repay the city $45,000, reports the Tennessean. He earned more than $170,000 in overtime pay during Barry's tenure and accompanied her on 10 trips out of town. Barry has said their relationship is now over. (More Nashville stories.)

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