Title
Ethics Complaint - Event Ten involving Councilman Jesse Kerley
Body
SUMMARY:
Councilman Kerley did interfere with police investigations on numerous occasions. Intentionally and under color of office, for the purpose to cause those persons to be arrested and deprive them of their right of free speech and pursuit of freedom from oppression. In so committing this course of action did commit official oppression (T.C.A. 39-16-403) and abuse of authority.
A. On June 2, 2016 an altercation took place at City Hall. The altercation itself took place in view of a surveillance video. Councilman Kerley and Jerry Kerley were unaware a surveillance system covered the area. When I reported the incident, I told Chief Shoap it would be on video. Mr. Hill, who is a friend of the Kerleys and sponsored by Kerley, had Kyle Sherrill open up the I.T. department before City Hall was open. This is the only known time Mr. Hill came to work early. Mr. Hill called Chief Shoap and the City Attorney and asked them to meet him there. Chief Shoap was at the police station; he drove right over and found Steve Hill and the Kerleys going over the tape and discussing their story. Instead of meeting him there, they had already gotten to the location and pulled the video. Councilman Kerley was not satisfied to make a statement, but was engaged in tampering with evidence. He showed him (the Chief) the video and acted as the narrator to sell him on the version of story he was presenting. Councilman Kerley did not show him the whole video and effectively tampered with evidence. He did not show him (the Chief) the aggressive part of Councilman Kerley and the stalking by himself and his father, Jerry Kerley. After this occurred Councilman Kerley, in an overbearing manner, continued to harass the Chief in an attempt to have me (Councilman Souza) arrested.
B. On June 3, 2016 Chief Shoap reviewed the full video and went to see the City Manager. He informed the City Manager he was goin...
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