Millington Mayor Announces Retirement

Millington Mayor Richard Hodges Announces Retirement
Bofta Yimam
FOX13 News

MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Millington Mayor Richard Hodges is retiring. The embattled mayor made that announcement at Monday night's Board of Aldermen meeting.

Last month, Hodges was indicted on two counts of bribery. The charges came after an investigation into illegal gambling and corruption in Millington. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations raided several city buildings, including Hodges' office, earlier this year.

Hodges had maintained his innocence, saying the investigation was political and he had done nothing wrong.

Still, he said few words before the city's attorney, Barbara Lapides, read his retirement letter in front of a packed hall. More than 80 people turned out, many expecting the mayor's decision to step down.

Bowing down to pressure, Hodges announced his retirement effective January 13, 2012. He blamed some media outlets for already convicting him.

The mayor says he'll stay in office for 60 days to finish some projects, and allow the media to focus on other issues.