State files to remove County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office, Halbert speaks out

UPDATE: On Tuesday, the following statement was released on Wanda Halbert’s Facebook page regarding the County Clerk’s ousting:

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

******

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The State of Tennessee has filed a petition to remove Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert from office.

The document, filed Monday by Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp, cites “willful neglect to perform a duty” and “Inaccurate and Untimely Financial Reporting” as the reasons for removal.

“Ms. Halbert consistently fails to turn the monthly report in to the Trustee in a timely manner … Ms. Halbert’s reports are consistently inaccurate with collected dollar amounts not added properly,” stated the petition by Wamp, who was appointed in June as an independent prosecutor in the investigation into Halbert’s office, in relation to possible removal.

Auditors with the state comptroller’s office stepped in earlier this year to help the Shelby County Clerk’s office manage its finances after county leaders complained they were unable to craft a county budget due to inaccurate revenue reports.

“The evidence of incompetence and willful neglect by management in the Shelby County Clerk’s Office is overwhelming,” Comptroller Jason Mumpower said in February . “I have no confidence in the Clerk’s Office to manage its affairs without outside intervention.”

The county clerk’s office collects millions of dollars per month in taxes from vehicle license plates, liquor by the drink taxes, business and marriage licenses and other duties.

State auditors and county leaders said the clerk’s office had failed to accurately report an increase in the county’s wheel tax that was instituted last year.

Halbert and the clerk’s office have been heavily scrutinized over long lines, office closures, and delays in issuing license plates and tags, prompting complaints by county commissioners and officials, and members of the public.

The clerk’s office was also forced to vacate a leased office space in Poplar Plaza, allegedly because of non-payment of rent and because the existing lease expired.

Findings showed that Halbert took a trip to Jamaica in 2022, the same week she claimed she was closing her office to catch up on work.

Halbert has 20 days to respond to the ouster petition, and may request a jury trial, according to the filing.

The state has requested her suspension from office until a determination is made in this case.

They ask that the court hold a hearing and issue that suspension within the next five days.

This breaking news will be updated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.