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GREENSBORO - Former city police Chief David Wray had no prior knowledge that a department employee last year recorded conversations with several community leaders, one of his lawyers said.

The discovery of those audio recordings, and the department's acknowledgement this week of their existence, came as a surprise to Wray, attorney Ken Keller said Thursday. According to the the police department, the recordings were made by a nonsworn police department employee and another woman.

"David Wray was not aware of the wire or the recordings at the time," Keller said. "He was aware of concern involving the subject of the investigation.

"Since the news story was published," Keller said, "David has received information that recordings were made but that the reason had to do with the woman's companion rather than the people the companion took her to meet."

On Wednesday, police leaders disclosed the existence of the recordings, which were found as the department investigates actions of the Special Intelligence Section during the former chief's administration.

Interim Chief Tim Bellamy said the department was investigating the nature of the recordings and when they were made. He described some of the community leaders as attorneys, doctors, business owners and clergy.

"Maintaining public trust is essential to the operation of the police department," a police news release said Wednesday, "therefore all individuals who were identified as having been recorded will be notified."

Bellamy said later that he announced the existence of the recordings to halt the spread of rumor. State law allows for a person to record conversations to which they are a party, even if other speakers are not aware of the taping.

"We're very disappointed the city didn't just ask for an explanation rather than putting stuff out that by innuendo is damaging," Keller said.

In the latest salvo of a public relations war between Wray's attorneys and city leaders, Keller and Clifford on Thursday released their own statement, accusing the city of "attempting to damage" their client's character.

"We urge all who want to find out the truth to be patient," Wray's lawyers said. "We feel that it will take some time, but in the end, the full truth will come out."

Thursday evening, Bellamy responded, saying he didn't know why the recordings were made.

"The only person who can answer that is David Wray. I don't know why they did it," Bellamy said. "If they want to make a statement, let them do so."

Contact Eric J.S. Townsend at 373-7008 or etownsend@news-record.com