Polk mayor accused of using dead person’s parking decal

The mayor of Davenport was arrested Tuesday after she was accused of using the handicapped-parking placards of two dead people, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies received a tip last month that Mayor Teresa “Darlene” Bradley was parking in a handicap spot despite not having any ailments or a placard assigned to her.

Deputies said they saw her use the placard when parking at City Hall multiple times.

“Video was also obtained of Mayor Teresa Bradley exiting the vehicle with no assistance, removing a large wheeled brief/suit case from the trunk and walking into the city hall meeting without assistance,” according to her arrest affidavit.

When authorities searched her home, they found two placards. One was issued to someone who died in 2012, and the other belonged to a person who died two years ago.

Deputies did not say how she obtained the handicap decals.

One of the placards was altered to say it expired in 2018, when it actually expired in 2013.

“We expect our elected officials to set the proper example,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “She not only violated the law; she embarrassed the citizens of Davenport with her illegal conduct.’”

Bradley faces charges of criminal use of a deceased person’s identification and possession of an altered/counterfeit decal — both of which are third-degree felonies — as well as unlawful use of a handicapped placard.

Bradley, 60, was taken to the Polk County Jail on Tuesday and released after posting a $2,250 bond.

She is a three-term mayor who was elected in 2013, then re-elected in 2015 and earlier this year.

Bradley could not be reached for comment.