The FBI visited Zeigler City Hall yesterday morning, and asked city employees to leave the building. The city hall remained closed for most of the day while about a dozen agents executed search warrants there, then went to city treasurer Ryan Thorpe’s house, where they seized items that reportedly included a motorcycle and firearms.

At an emergency city council meeting called last night in Zeigler, city officials explained Thorpe had been placed on administrative leave without pay. The Zeigler council took action on removing Thorpe as a signatory on the city’s accounts, and temporarily appointed Chris Scroggins as the city’s CPA.

Rebecca Whittington, the city’s attorney, confirmed the visit and that search warrants were served.

The Southern Illinoisan reports that Zeigler’s treasurer’s office is also the treasurer for the area’s drug task force.