Mayor Jimmy Poss and his son Anthony entered not guilty pleas Monday morning to charges they stole from the city of Smithville when the mayor hired his son to maintain the municipal golf course with permission of the aldermanic council.

The not guilty pleas were entered in absence of the defendants, both of whom waived their right to appear, allowing their attorneys to announce their innocence. The defendants were both given Oct. 5 appearance dates by Circuit Court Judge Gary McKenzie and will remain free on their present bonds pending their scheduled court dates.

Mayor Poss was indicted on charges of theft over $2,500 and official misconduct while his son was indicted on the charge of theft over $2,500. The indictments came one week before election, an election the incumbent mayor lost to Alderman Josh Miller by 104 votes. The timing of the indictments brought allegations that the indictments were politically motivated and meant to turn the tide of the election. However, voting numbers showed Miller won both the early vote, which was basically completed before the indictments and Election Day voting which came after the indictments.

The indictments allege Mayor Poss violated the law when he hired his son to maintain the municipal golf course and swimming pool without telling the aldermanic council. Tony Poss was paid around $8,000 over a six-month period during which no official work records were kept sparking allegations that work may not have been done. The city council censured the mayor for his actions but stopped short of demanding he pay back the money. The indictments against the mayor and his son come on the heels of a scathing state comptroller’s report which criticized the outgoing mayor for his handling of the hiring and his violation of the city’s nepotism policy.

The mayor’s last day in office will be Aug. 31.