Lexington Alderman Vote on Ethics Violation
This video is no longer available.
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn.- Lexington City Alderman voted 4-2, Tuesday night. The majority’s vote saying fellow Aldermen Jerry Bingham and Jack Johnson violated the board’s ethics policy. Bingham and Johnson are accused of using city equipment and city gravel for a personal project earlier this year. Investigators said the gravel was used to fix potholes on a private drive that is sometimes used by the general public. “In a lot of ways it looks like a city street,” Ken Walker said Lexington’s City Attorney. “But it’s just not dedicated to the city,” Johnson was at the table during the debate. According to the city attorney, the gravel taken was worth around $12. Officials said both Bingham and Johnson asked the department heads for permission. But even after being told no, they went ahead and took the gravel. “If they wanted to give gravel, okay. But let them go purchase it and have somebody put it in,” Alderman Jeff Griggs said, who voted in favor of the ethics breach. “I don’t think the dollar amount mattered. I think the law was broke.” Alderman Gordon Wildridge voted differently. “If you can’t do absolutely nothing when somebody calls you up, well, I’m not going to say no,” Wildridge said. “I’m going to look at reasonable standpoints and if it only cost the city $12.50, well, I’m going to say yes.” Officials in the District Attorney General’s office said regardless of the city’s vote the case against the aldermen will be presented to the Henderson County grand jury later this month. Johnson did not participate in the ethics vote and denied to comment on his case.
