Four Candidates Charged By State Ethics And Finance Commission

By Anita Wadhwani, Tennessee Lookout

September 15, 2021

The Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance of the Tennessee Ethics Commission on Tuesday filed suit against four local political candidates for failing to comply with campaign disclosure rules.

The commission has the authority to assess civil penalties against candidates for failing to file campaign reports that provide a public accounting of a candidate’s business and financial interests.

The candidates named in separate lawsuits filed in Davidson County Chancery Court are:

• Patrick Pebley, an alderman in Caryville, Tenn. Pebley failed to respond to repeated requests to produce a statement of disclosure of interest, the filing said. He also failed to attend a July 30 Commission hearing to consider actions against him. The suit is seeking to enforce a $1,000 civil penalty assessed at that meeting.
• Christopher Jones, the former mayor of Mt. Carmel, Tenn. in Hawkins County. Jones failed to file a statement of Disclosure of Interests, the suit said. He also failed to appear at a haring in his case. The suit is seeking payment of the $1,000 fine assessed.
• Andrew Jones, a former candidate for county executive in Polk County. Andrew Jones also failed to file a required disclosure statement or respond to the commission, which is seeking payment of a $1,000 fine.
• Linda Smith, a former candidate for Vice Mayor of Pleasant Hill, Tenn. failed to file a required disclosure statement, respond to commission correspondence or show up at a hearing, the lawsuit said. The commission is seeking $1,000 from Smith.

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