Case against Jim Corbett (Mr. Music) closed with no charges filed

Mr. Music expresses relief and looks back at another successful Peacetown season

The case against Jim Corbett (AKA Mr. Music) has been closed, with no charges filed.

“There was never any crime, so I was never worried,” Corbett wrote to the Sebastopol Times, “but it is nice no longer having it hanging over my head.”

Because of potential conflict of interest with the Sebastopol Police, the case was handled by Petaluma Police. Petaluma Police Lt. Jeremy Walsh told the Press Democrat that none of the alleged victims, including The Barlow and the City of Sebastopol, were willing to press charges. Both parties said they’d given Corbett money for services and those services had been delivered.

“In these types of investigations, without the basic foundation of having a willing victim to a crime, there really is no investigation,” Lt. Walsh said in an email to the Press Democrat.

The firing by the Peacetown Board of former Peacetown Director Elizabeth Smith, who first brought the issue of Corbett’s unorthodox handling of funds to the attention of the police, and the Board’s ejection of dissenting board member attorney David Bush left bruised feelings all around. Whether those bruised feelings will translate into further legal action in the civic arena is yet to be seen.

Peacetown’s Board of Directors stood behind Corbett all the way and judging by the crowds at the last three Peacetown concerts at Ives Park, so did much of the town.

Corbett himself is clearly ready to move on, reflecting on the wrap-up of this season’s Peacetown.

“The last Peacetown was off the hook,” Corbett wrote to the Times. “Huge happy crowd, high vibes, funky music from local hero, Spencer Burrows and Chris Dilbeck. Lots of nostalgia being back at Ives.”

Read the excellent Press Democrat article on this topic.