Case Against Gunn Pushed Back Until August

A Jefferson County woman accused of one count of Election Law Violation of Campaign Communications will have to wait a little longer for her day in court. Clarice Albright Gunn was charged with the Class C Misdemeanor late this spring for actions that allegedly occurred during the election campaign in August of 2014.

Gunn was to appear in court this month but the case has been pushed back until August 18, 2015, when she will appear in General Sessions Court in Jefferson County. Though the charges against Gunn stem from a letter that was sent out pre election that expressed a group of around 40 resident’s desire for open government and stating that they (the group) were in favor of candidates that supported open government, Gunn was the only person charged. And though the letter in question had multiple signatures, including Clarice Gunn’s, she has been charged because she allegedly paid for postage and mailed the letter, which did not have the appropriate disclosure statement regarding who paid for the letter distribution.

Gunn is being represented in the matter by Scott Hurley of Hurley Law Firm in Knoxville. Hurley has expressed concern on more than one occasion that Gunn has not been able to face her accuser. According to Hurley, the TBI, who headed the investigation and originally released incorrect information that Gunn had been indited by a Grand Jury, contend that they received a complaint at the local level concerning the letter. However, they have not provided any official information regarding the complainant.

Scott Hurley expressed his displeasure that Gunn’s accuser has not been identified, stating

“I find it unbelievable that in this day of high crime rates, random violence, and terrorism threats, that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation would take the time to charge Clarice Gunn with a crime because she (along with about 40 other people) sent a letter supporting open government to her neighbors and friends. The TBI now contends that they have charged Clarice because of local complaints.”

“ Obviously, that letter made someone in Jefferson County very angry. Clarice is entitled to know the identity of her accusers. They should not be permitted to hide behind a TBI agent who actually resides in a different part of the State.”

“And perhaps even more importantly, the people of Jefferson County are entitled to know who it is that is so angered by a letter about open government that they would spend time and resources, and their political influence, to convince the TBI to bring criminal charges against this lady.”

Should Gunn be convicted of the charges, she could face 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine of up to $50.

Source: K. Depew, News Director