The Chilton County Commission called an emergency meeting on March 1 and placed county administrator Crista Madden on administrative leave.

The decision came following an executive session.

Three resolutions were also approved shortly after, including removing Madden from all county accounts, such as checking, adding assistant administrator Denise Hafer as the signee on the accounts, and changing Hafer’s title to interim county administrator.

Madden has been in the role of county administrator for the past six months. Prior to that, she had spent the past 25 years in Franklin County as an accountant and administrator during that time.

Chairman Allen Caton closed the meeting by releasing the following statement:

“The Chilton County Commission was made aware of an ongoing investigation of Crista Madden by the attorney general’s office. At this time the investigation is unrelated to Chilton County. Pending the outcome of this investigation, Mrs. Madden has been placed on administrative leave from her duties as county administrator.”