Thousands of dollars worth of audio equipment was seized Wednesday from the Goodrum Road home of Thomas “Barry” Graham, manager of the City of Vicksburg’s TV23 cable channel and a member of popular Vicksburg band, The Chill.

“This city employee allegedly used city funds to purchase equipment for his personal use in a band,” said Police Chief Walter Armstrong. “There has been no arrest made at this time, but we do anticipate one — and perhaps several — to be made. This investigation is ongoing.”

Reached about two hours after Vicksburg police assisted state Auditor’s Office investigators in seizing the equipment from his home at 307 Goodrum Road, Graham provided only a brief comment.

“At this point there’s a lot of misleading information going around. When I know the facts and the truth of the situation, I’ll be happy to tell you what I can,” said Graham, who confirmed he was at home when the equipment was seized.

Among the items taken from Graham’s garage were large speakers, amplifiers, cables, microphones, a lighting system and stacks of CDs. Also taken away were two folding tables with notes on them reading: “Please return to the Vicksburg Senior Center.” Armstrong estimated the value of the equipment at “several thousand dollars.”

Graham said he’s been a city employee for five years and has been on leave for six weeks after falling off a ladder on the job and breaking five ribs. Along with managing TV23 operations, Graham has been responsible for handling city communications and advertising, among other duties. According to The Chill’s Web site, he has been lead vocalist in the group since 2001 and also plays keyboard. The Chill has been one of Vicksburg’s most popular groups for the past 25 years, regularly performing at Riverfest and other events throughout the city.

“Obviously, this is a disappointing situation,” said Mayor Paul Winfield. “I just want our citizens to know that there is an ongoing investigation into the handling of city funds and property, and any misuse of city funds will not be tolerated by this administration.”

Winfield said the city contacted the state investigators “at least a couple weeks ago,” when it discovered what appeared to be a misappropriation of funds in the TV23 department. Lisa Shoemaker, spokesman for the auditor’s office, said she could provide no comment on an ongoing investigation.

“Of course, we have been asked to be quiet about it until they were finished with their investigation, and I believe they are still in the fact-finding stage,” said Winfield, who declined to comment on Graham’s employment by the city. “I think there are other departments and persons of interest that are being looked into.”

*

Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com