Update: Metro Nashville’s Board of Ethical Conduct unanimously dismissed an ethics complaint against Councilmember Rollin Horton on Dec. 17. Board members said they didn’t find enough to move the case forward under the city’s ethics code.
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A group of residents in Metropolitan Council District 20 have filed ethics, criminal and election-interference complaints against Metro Councilmember Rollin Horton, alleging doxxing, harassment and police intimidation connected to a recall effort.
On Thursday, the group, which coins themselves as The Voices of District 20, said that the filings accuse Horton of directing others to call police on petitioners and attempting to suppress a lawful recall campaign. The complaints will be submitted to the Metro Board of Ethical Conduct, the Davidson County District Attorney and the Tennessee State Election Commission.
Petitioners are requesting a full ethics investigation, subpoenas for Horton’s communications and social media activity, a public hearing, and council censure or removal from committees. They also seek referral for possible criminal prosecution and release of MNPD body-camera footage.
“People in our community are genuinely afraid of Horton's abuse of power,” recall leader Rachel Gladstone said.
Horton responded to NewsChannel 5 in a statement, calling the complaints a “distraction.”
"This complaint is another baseless attempt by the same individuals to disparage me. First these individuals tried to stop the Nations Neighborhood plan, a plan that allows for middle income housing and requires more trees to be planted. Then, they tried to recall me over the same plan — unsuccessfully. Rather than accept the outcome of the democratic processes, this small group of individuals continues to try and thwart it. I remain humbled and grateful for the support of the people of District 20. I look forward to putting this distraction behind us, and continuing to address the issues our community faces."
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