Fairhope Parks Director placed on leave after WKRG video sparks internal city investigation

FAIRHOPE, Ala. ( WKRG ) — A Fairhope city official has been placed on administrative leave after WKRG obtained a video showing equipment owned by the city parked on the baseball field of a high school in Baldwin County.

Fairhope Director of Parks and Recreation Pat White was put on leave Tuesday pending an internal investigation by the city, according to Mayor Sherry Sullivan.

The move came after WKRG showed video obtained by News 5 to city officials of a small tractor with a Flail Mower attached to it outside of Fairhope city limits on a high school baseball field.

Fairhope officials said the serial number on the mower shown in that video matches the serial number of a piece of equipment owned by the city.

According to sources, White has private contracts with several schools in Baldwin County to maintain their ball fields.

White was named the parks and recreation director in September 2019.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.