By Phil Williams
Chief Investigative Reporter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Metro Council member is renewing his call for Davidson County Clerk John Arriola to resign.
That follows the release Wednesday of a scathing audit of Arriola's office -- an audit prompted by an exclusive NewsChannel 5 investigation.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates first revealed how Arriola performed weddings on taxpayer time, charging $40 cash for each ceremony.
The new state audit, just released Wednesday, says the clerk may have pocketed almost $120,000 over five years.
In addition, the report faults him for putting his campaign treasurer on the Metro payroll without making him document his time.
And there's much more contained in the audit.
That's why Council Member Robert Duvall said he'll introduce a resolution asking that the county clerk resign.
"I admired the man before this," Duvall told NewsChannel 5. "I can no longer admire him for what he's done."
Duvall pushed a similar resolution last summer after NewsChannel 5 first raised questions about Arriola's office. Still, his colleagues indicated that they wanted to wait for a conclusion to the investigation before they voted on the question.
"It substantiates everything that was in my claims in July of last year, and it's time for John to step down," Duvall added. "The best way to start that process is the city council coming together and calling for his resignation."
Duvall said the Arriola misconduct is worse than the allegations that forced the resignation of Criminal Court Clerk David Torrence last year.
District Attorney General Torry Johnson said he's reviewing the audit, as well as a report from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to decide whether criminal charges should be filed.
Robert Duvall, Metro Council Member
