(NASHVILLE) The Davidson County Grand Jury issued a sealed indictment against 45-year old Matthew W. Church. It charges the La Vergne alderman with one count of theft of property and two counts of forgery--both are felony charges of $2,500 or greater but less than $10,000.

His bond was set at $15,000.

Church voluntarily turned himself in to Metro Police on Thursday (7/2/2020), and then bonded out of jail.

Over a year ago, La Vergne's mayor and board of alderman took legal action and hired an outside attorney to strip Church of his role as vice mayor after city employees filed complaints involving conduct issues against him.

On March 5, 2019, the board voted 3 to 2 to remove Church from the vice mayor position.

At that time--over a year ago, Church said, "The citizens of La Vergne put me in office, the board is trying to take me out of office."     

Now City of La Vergne officials note that it does not appear that the charges against Church involve the La Vergne government in any way, but they have again hired an outside attorney for legal counsel.

Church was elected to the position of alderman in November, 2018. That term expires November, 2022.

According to the city's website: The board is made-up of a mayor and four alderman. The board appoints an alderman to serve as vice mayor. That person would serve as mayor in their absernce or inability to serve. 

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