Bannister arrested

Law enforcement and Westminster sources are confirming the arrest of the former Westminster Police Chief Scott Bannister. Warrants served on Johnny Scott Bannister at the Oconee Law Enforcement Center charge Bannister with three offenses: forgery, embezzlement of public funds, and misconduct in office. Bannister served as chief until his resignation last summer. The affidavit attached to the warrant charging embezzlement alleges the defendant, between January 2009 and July 2012, embezzled “in excess of $100 thousand of public funds from the City of Westminster while acting as Chief of Police for that municipality, to wit using police and city funds and converting them to his own personal use….” Acknowledging Bannister’s arrest, City Administrator David Smith said, “The City of Westminster will not be providing any comment regarding today’s events since this is an active case being handled by the Solicitor’s Office.”