VILLA HILLS — A probe into the firing of former Police Chief Michael “Corky” Brown moved ahead Monday when council ordered the former city attorney to turn files over to a special counsel.

        The special counsel, Covington lawyer Phil Taliaferro, was hired by a council majority last month to investigate Mayor Steve Clark's firing of Mr. Brown on Dec. 28.

        Monday, during a brief special meeting, council voted 4-1 to have former City Attorney Lawson Walker - who has also been dismissed by Mr. Clark - release files pertaining to the mayor and other city business to Mr. Taliaferro's law firm.

        Voting in favor of releasing the files were councilmen Tim Sogar, Mike Sadouskas, Denny Stein and Bob Kramer, whose wife, Sue, was the former city clerk. She, too, was fired along with Mr. Brown in December.

        Those council members believe Mr. Clark acted improperly when he fired Mr. Brown. Mr. Clark, citing confidentiality laws dealing with public employees, has not said why Mr. Brown and Mrs. Kramer were fired.

        But some council members believe Mr. Clark fired Mr. Brown because the chief participated in an investigation last year into allegations that the mayor improperly spent city money.

        A Kenton County grand jury and the attorney general's office investigated the allegations, but no charges were ever brought against Mr. Clark.

        The lone vote against releasing the files came from council member Julie Schuler, a supporter of the mayor. She was elected in November.

        Mr. Clark did not vote, but he warned council against approving the issue, saying that the hiring of the special counsel needs to be investigated. He has previously said he is seeking an attorney general's opinion on the hiring of Mr. Taliaferro.

        Also Monday, a citizens group that is calling for the reinstatement of Mr. Brown and Mrs. Kramer picked up the chief's uniform, hat and badge from the city building.

        Mr. Brown, a lifelong law enforcement officer who was chief of Villa Hills for 16 years, has said he wants to be buried in his uniform and badge.

        But the citizens were angry when the uniform they received was a standard issue uniform and not a special dress uniform that Mr. Brown had requested.

        Mr. Clark told the citizens after Monday's meeting he would look into the situation and help them obtain the uniform Mr. Brown wants.

        Originally the mayor would not allow Mr. Brown to keep the uniform and badge. But after an outcry from the citizens Mr. Clark agreed to sell him the uniform and badge for the nominal fee of $1.

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