Former Perryville chief files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Former Perryville, Missouri, police chief Keith Tarrillion and his wife have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Documents filed Thursday in federal court say the city's former top cop now works as a car salesman in Perryville.

Tarrillion -- who on July 23 pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of making a false report -- resigned from the Perryville Police Department in March 2013 amid allegations of professional misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to threatening employees.

An investigation into those allegations turned up a 2010 report of property damage to a hot tub and table at Tarrillion's home, filed under another officer's name.

The bankruptcy filing could absolve Tarrillion of a financial obligation to the city stemming from his departure.

Because Perryville's police chief is elected rather than appointed, the city could not fire Tarrillion. Instead, city leaders accepted his resignation under a memorandum of understanding that required the city to pay his salary and benefits through the end of his term or until he was charged with a crime.

Under the agreement, if convicted of a crime, Tarrillion would have to reimburse the city for money and benefits he received after his resignation; if exonerated, the city would owe him back pay through the end of his term.

According to a federal bankruptcy court filing, Tarrillion owes the city $43,000 -- a debt triggered by his guilty plea. The city is listed on the filing as a creditor holding "unsecured nonpriority claims."

In November, the Missouri attorney general's office charged Tarrillion with theft, forgery and making a false report.

At a preliminary hearing in January, a claims adjuster testified Tarrillion submitted the property damage report to his insurance company, California Casualty, which later issued him a pair of payments totaling $5,400.

At the hearing, Judge Gary Kamp dismissed the theft charge but found probable cause to go forward with the other charges.

In exchange for Tarrillion's guilty plea on the false report charge, assistant attorney general Brent A. Connelly dropped the forgery charge.

As part of the plea agreement, Tarrillion was required to surrender his Peace Officer Standards and Training certification and license, given a suspended six-month jail sentence and 10 days in the Madison County, Missouri, Jail -- to be served in two-day increments throughout August -- and placed on a year of court-supervised probation.

As a condition of Tarrillion's probation, Judge Robin Fulton also ordered him to repay the city unless a bankruptcy court rules otherwise.

According to federal court documents, Chapter 7 bankruptcy "is designed for debtors in financial difficulty who do not have the ability to pay their existing debts."

Under a Chapter 7 case, existing debts may be discharged and non-exempt property sold to pay creditors, but some debts may not be dismissed, such as taxes; student loans; child support; and most fines, penalties, forfeitures and criminal restitution obligations.

The bankruptcy filing indicates Tarrillion has worked as a salesman for a Ford dealership in Perryville for the past eight months. It also lists him as the owner of a lawn-care business.

Earlier this year, Tarrillion's wife, Shannon -- who is listed on the filing as assistant manager of a residential care facility -- ran for Perryville Ward 2 alderman but lost to incumbent Curt Buerck.

Attorney Kristi Hoff, who is representing Tarrillions in the bankruptcy case, was not immediately available for comment Friday.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Perryville, MO