The publisher of the Jonesboro Sun wants the city police chief to quit, saying the chief bullied one of the newspaper's reporters into quitting by making derogatory statements about her on Facebook.
In a story published Tuesday, Sun Publisher David Mosesso said Chief Michael Yates had maligned Sunshine Crump's character and was interfering with the Sun's ability to conduct its business.
Yates did not return a call from The Associated Press, but told the newspaper he was exercising his free speech rights.
The newspaper said the trouble began when Crump wrote a story that said Yates taught at Arkansas State University without having a proper permission form on file with the city.
Jonesboro City Attorney Phillip Crego said the city is investigating a complaint that Mosesso filed against Yates last week.
