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Former Columbia officer fights to clear her name
Posted: 05.09.2012 at 2:19 PM
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Isa Greene was fired March 1 for her part in the investigation of South Carolina Hospitality Director Tom Sponseller.  / CPD
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Columbia, (WACH) – The grievance case of a former Columbia police official now rests in the hands of the city manager.

Isa Greene was fired March 1 for her part in the investigation of South Carolina Hospitality Director Tom Sponseller.

Sponseller was reported missing February 18, police found his body in his Lady Street office building 10 days later.  He died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound.

Greene says Columbia Police Chief Randy Scott asked her to retire; when she refused, he fired her.

Assistant Chief Leslie Wiser says Greene was fired because she “failed to exercise adequate supervision in a manner that adversely affected the police department.”

CPD was criticized by the public for mishandling the investigation by not adequately searching Sponseller's office building after he was reported missing.

Greene, who was the supervisor of investigations, says she widened the search for Sponseller because police did not find evidence that he was still in the building.

Greene says she was on vacation the day Sponseller was reported missing, and did not join the case until February 20.

Wiser says Greene erred in “accepting information from subordinates investigating the case without any questions.”

Greene does not want to get her job back, but she is asking to be reinstated so she can officially retire.

The City of Columbia’s grievance committee has three weeks to submit its findings to City Manager Steve Gantt.

Gantt will make the final decision on Greene’s employment status.

Midlands Connect Poll
Do you think former Columbia police official Isa Greene should be reinstated so she can officially retire?

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