Council subpoenaed for Horton rehiring

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office has subpoenas on the Portsmouth City Council regarding the rehiring of former Fire Chief Don Horton.

Commonwealth's Attorney Earle Mobley confirmed to WAVY.com Thursday afternoon that he went before the Portsmouth Circuit Court Tuesday requesting subpoenas on information relating to the resignation and re-hiring of Horton. 

Mobley says a special grand jury will be convened to review all of the information gathered. No word yet on when the jury will meet.

Earlier this week during Hurricane Sandy, Horton resigned from his newest position with the city as deputy director of emergency management.

He had resigned from his prior position as fire chief in July and had stayed on the city's payroll through October with the Family and Medical Leave Act, although he did not spell out any medical issues regarding himself or his family in a resignation email.

Former City Manager Ken Chandler resigned last month because he refused to put in writing the information he divulged to city council regarding Horton's re-hiring.