(August 29, 2006)—After six weeks on unpaid leave, former Troy Police Chief David Seward was out of a job and mulling his options Tuesday.

The Troy City Council voted Monday night to fire Seward, ending speculation about the chief’s future, which had been up in the air since the council first suspended him on July 11 because of an ongoing investigation, which has since been joined by the Texas Rangers, according to Mayor Sammy Warren.

The investigation is focused on the handling of money seized after drugs were found in a vehicle during a traffic stop.

Council members questioned how some of that money was spent, and had specific questions about the purchase of a Harley Davidson motorcycle on behalf of the police department.

But Seward told the council only $300 of the money was spent improperly and said he tried repeatedly to pay the city back.

“Were there mistakes made on that account?” Seward told a packed council chamber Monday night. “You bet.”

“Will I own up to them? Sure. Was it my personal spending account? No way,” he said.

Seward, who spoke for 30 minutes, said his missteps didn’t warrant termination, but council members disagreed as they voted unanimously to end his employment.

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