‘A long time coming:’ Local leaders speak on Wanda Halbert ouster effort

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Reactions from state leaders are pouring in regarding a petition to oust Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office .

Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp has presented an ouster petition for Halbert on Monday.

Senator Brent Taylor of Memphis said it was about time.

“This has been a long time coming,” Taylor said. “I have heard from many people in my district and throughout Shelby County that have said to me that having to deal with that office and trying to get titles and tags ranks right up there with jock itch.”

The petition says Wamp is seeking Halbert’s removal because the “defendant has willfully neglected to perform duties” required by the state.

“Wanda Halbert will obviously get her day in court,” Taylor said. “She’s entitled to a jury trial as it relates to her ouster proceedings and I think it’s important to keep in mind, although this is a jury trial, it’s not a criminal charge.”

The petition caps off months of investigation from Wamp’s office, alleged reports of mismanagement, along with the issues the state comptroller found in his recent report.

“When you have the comptroller coming in making that statement, now you have a special prosecutor moving forward with something, it’s unfortunate,” Shelby County Commission Chairwoman Miska Clay-Bibbs said. “But we attempted to kind of intervene as best we could and now, we are where we are.”

As WREG has reported, the clerk’s office has often delayed car buyers from getting their titles and tags.

“The taxpayers are concerned from the idea of customer service, the length of time in line and wanting to have trust in that office,” Clay-Bibbs said.

But Commissioner Charlie Caswell says Halbert deserves more time.

“I thought she would have had an opportunity to present us with a plan of action because some of the things that they state in this (petition) were things we saw being addressed since the comptroller came down to visit with her,” Caswell said.

He also told WREG that he still has faith in the clerk’s office.

“I pray for Madame Clerk and the work that she and her office still have to go through,” Caswell said.

The petition gives Clerk Halbert 20 days to answer the petition.

WREG did reach out to the clerk’s office for comment, but so far we haven’t heard back.

However, she did make the following Facebook post on Tuesday evening:

The Office of the Shelby County Clerk over the last 5+ years has repeatedly “sounded the alarm” regarding a host of findings/concerns (financial included). Said concerns have been documented and reported to multiple legal County & State entities but never investigated. Fortunately, the day has come that FINALLY begins direct attention to the matters we have raised. While our team cannot discuss these and other matters, we will not be afraid to do what the law requires of us. When given authority, we commit to being transparent and will report accordingly.

Shelby County Clerk Team

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