Mayor Otis Schulte hung up on reporter Linda Trest when she attempted to interview him two days prior to the start of a full-out FBI and MSHP investigation into the Gerald Police Department. Here are some of his comments to The Washington Missourian.

“I hope the citizens don't think we let them down. We don’t have a way of checking these guys out,” said Schulte. “We had no idea if these (calls and faxes) were going to the guy’s house or where. We just all want answers. Hopefully the town won’t get all down on us. Nobody is trying to hide anything.”

Regarding a May 11 meeting between Trest, Chief Ryan McCrary, Lt. Scott Ramsey and Alderman Brad Landwehr, he said he was not invited to attend. “I heard bits and pieces that it happened Sunday,” said Schulte. “I’m the chief officer of the city and should be informed of these things.”

“I don't know how we can be held liable as a city because he never worked for us - he was never paid by us,” said Schulte. “He didn’t even pull one hour under reserve status for us.”