Nashville police chief condemns Rob Forrest's 'betrayal of the citizens'

Metro Nashville police Chief Steve Anderson released a statement Tuesday following the conviction of retired Sgt. Rob Forrest, Mayor Megan Barry's bodyguard with whom she engaged in a longterm affair.

“Today’s conditional guilty plea by Rob Forrest and the associated statement of facts are indicative of his betrayal of the citizens of Nashville and the men and women of this police department," Anderson said in a statement to USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee.

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Along with Barry, who resigned on Tuesday, Forrest pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony theft of property of more than $10,000.

He was given three years probation, and as a term of the probation is required to reimburse Nashville $45,000 paid to him as salary.

According to Davidson County Sheriff's Office records, he was booked into the Metro jail downtown at 12:36 p.m.

Jail records show he was released from custody at 2:11 p.m.

In his statement, Anderson noted that Forrest had a "unique assignment away from his chain of command on a daily basis," and one that he "had performed well" during the administrations of former Nashville mayors Bill Purcell and Karl Dean.

"Forrest’s supervisors trusted him," Anderson said. "We now know that he betrayed that trust during the Barry administration, leaving behind a sentiment of disdain among those who continue in their work with the Metropolitan Police Department.

"I am among those who share that sentiment.”

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Forrest retired amid Barry's admission to affair

Barry admitted to an affair on Jan. 31 with Forrest, who oversaw the mayoral security detail for 14 years.

Forrest retired that same day after over 31 years with the department.

During Barry's term as mayor, Forrest earned more than $170,000 in overtime pay, which was more than the combined amounts of the other officers on the mayor's security detail.

On 10 of Barry's out of town trips that took place during the affair, Forrest accompanied Barry with no other mayoral staff.

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In an affidavit made public last month, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents detailed nude photos of a woman, whom investigators believe appears to be Barry, likely taken on the cellphone they seized from Forrest.

Based on timestamps, TBI suspects the photos were taken during two of the trips, specifically during time when Forrest reported to be on duty, payroll records showed.

On Tuesday, Forrest's attorney David Raybin said if he abides by the terms of his three-year probation, his guilty plea will be vacated and criminal record expunged.

Metro Nashville records show Forrest will receive $6,691 in monthly pension, amounting to $80,303 a year. His pension increased substantially due to overtime he was paid during Barry's time in office.

If any of the ongoing investigations reveal he collected overtime improperly, then Forrest's pension may be reduced, according to Mark Young, a member of the Metro Employee Benefits Board and the president of the Nashville Fire Fighters Association, the local union.

Read Anderson's entire statement:

"Today’s conditional guilty plea by Rob Forrest and the associated statement of facts are indicative of his betrayal of the citizens of Nashville and the men and women of this police department. "Forrest was in a unique assignment away from his chain of command on a daily basis. From all accounts, he had performed well in that assignment during the Purcell and Dean administrations. "Forrest’s supervisors trusted him. We now know that he betrayed that trust during the Barry administration, leaving behind a sentiment of disdain among those who continue in their work with the Metropolitan Police Department. "I am among those who share that sentiment.”

Adam Tamburin, Nate Rau and Mike Reicher contributed to this story.