County Discusses How to Finance Woolfork Ouster
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JACKSON, Tenn.–Madison County Sheriff David Woolfork has less than a week to turn in his resignation before commissioners initiate an ouster proceeding. If Woolfork does not step down, county commissioners will ask attorney Steve Maroney to file the ouster lawsuit. “This is the only means available to remove an elected official from office,” said Maroney. Maroney said county officials can be removed from office for misconduct, neglect of duty, public intoxication, gambling, and violation of moral standard. Maroney says a judge or jury would decide Woolfork‘s fate. “Criminal charges are not necessary to sustain an ouster,” he said. Commissioners could not say how much an ouster will cost, but the statute says the loser will pay court costs and possibly the other side‘s attorney fees. Commissioners gave Maroney the OK to begin mediation with both Sharon Sangster and Lisa Balderrama‘s attorneys. No word yet on how much a settlement could cost or how the county plans to pay the bill. “There’s just so many what ifs at this point,” said Madison County Commissioner Doug Stephenson, and chairman of the budget committee. “It’s very difficult to say yeah we’re gonna do this we’re gonna do that.” Stephenson says he does not feel like a tax increase is an option right now, but it is possible. “It’s way down the line of things that we can explore to do,” he said. “Cutting services would be above that.” The Shelby County District Attorney‘s Office has not filed any criminal charges against Woolfork, yet. If the court sides with the county and ousts the current sheriff, Maroney says Woolfork could run again. Maroney says Woolfork can file an appeal if the court does not side in his favor.
