Former police officer fired for Klan document denies bias

The Associated Press

5 years ago

FILE - In this March 20, 2019 file photo Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Depart ... — FILE – In this March 20, 2019 file photo Officer Charles Anderson of the Muskegon Police Department gives his testimony at the Muskegon County Hall of Justice, in Muskegon. Anderson, an ex-Michigan officer fired after a Ku Klux Klan document and Confederate flags were found in his home, says in a report he collected antiques as well as memorabilia linked to "The Dukes of Hazard" TV series. A 400-page report released Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, by the city of Muskegon includes an interview with Anderson. He denies any bias or being a KKK supporter or member. (Kayla Renie/Muskegon Chronicle via AP File)

MUSKEGON, Mich. — A white Michigan officer fired after a framed Ku Klux Klan application and Confederate flags were found in his home says in a report he collected antiques and memorabilia linked to “The Dukes of Hazzard” TV series.

A 400-page report Muskegon officials released Monday includes an interview with Charles Anderson. Anderson denies any bias or being a KKK supporter or member.

An investigation was launched after a potential home buyer, who is black, reported seeing the KKK document at Anderson’s home. Rob Mathis and his wife, Reyna Mathis, toured the home and were later interviewed.

The report details encounters between them and Anderson, including a 2008 incident in which he pulled them over for speeding. The report says they refused to comply with Anderson’s commands and Reyna Mathis punched him.

She was sentenced to 60 days in jail for assaulting an officer.