DA Office Employee Takes Responsibility, Suspended Without Pay

Submitted by WhitesCreek on June 22, 2012 - 6:48am.

DA Russ Johnson notes the difficulty in prosecuting campaign violations because there are so many of them:

Johnson described Vittatoe's actions as "a lapse in judgment," and said he was accepting responsibility. Johnson's letter also described other allegations of election misconduct that often come before his office, including technical campaign violations such as failing to put the "Paid For By" disclosure on signs.

The lack of paid for disclosures is evident on Rep. Hurley's signs.

I think a lot of Russ Johnson as DA but I would be remiss if I didn't note that action was taken on a violation for a Democratic candidate and no action is being taken on a violation of the Republican candidate. I also note that the GOP controlled Election Commission went hyperbolic over the Democratic violation and apparently thinks it's OK for Rep. Hurley to keep her illegal campaign signs up. At the very least I would think it appropriate for Johnson to issue a general statement that all offending signs (I suspect there are others besides Hurley's) not removed in ten days will result in action.

Link...

Seen
Submitted by chelsea on June 22, 2012 - 7:46am.

I have seen a lot of signs and wondered if many were placed illegaly. I know about the Temperance Building issue, but can someone tell us specifically what is an illegal placement of a sign? What about Right of Way? Publicaly owned property (parks, government buildings etc) I always make sure any signs I place are well inside my property line.

What about the huge Julia
Submitted by ConcernedCitizen on June 22, 2012 - 8:03am.

What about the huge Julia Hurley campaign advertisement on the side of the freight truck parked on the State right of way at the end of the hwy 70 bridge going into Kingston? Is it legal for it to sit there?

I've not looked, but I'll bet, it doesn't say who paid for it.

I am curious as to who and
Submitted by RICK on June 22, 2012 - 8:12am.

I am curious as to who and what groups are funding her campaign. I have seen a billboard while traveling to Knoxville, the sign on the side of a freight truck, and many large signs across the county. Maybe we need to get a look at her campaign finance report. I know the money wasn't there when she ran the first time.
And, I haven't seen any Kent Calfee signs. A study was done in the 90's. It showed that a voter needed to see a candidate's name on average of 27 times before the name was remembered. He shouldn't wait too long. Early voting is just around the corner.

Not just Julia
Submitted by chelsea on June 22, 2012 - 8:58am.

There are plenty of big signs and signs on freight trucks for other candidates for other offices all over the county. . IF there are rules and regulations about the placement, all of them should be looked at. If they fall outside the parameters, then they should be removed. I think notice and reasonable time allowed for the candidate to remove (3-5 days is my personal idea of reasonable), failing that the entity with the authority should remove them and the campaign billed.

Sign endorsement
Submitted by chelsea on June 27, 2012 - 9:17pm.

Have been on the road in Roane, Anderson and Knox counties over the past few days. Made a point to look at the various campaingn signs. Some candidates have he "paid for by" on big and little signs, some do not have it on any and some have it on big signs but not little. Didn't get a chance to really study the tractor/trailer signs. I am guessing the only regulations are on size and placement.

WhitesCreek's picture
The regs say you have to
Submitted by WhitesCreek on June 27, 2012 - 9:34pm.

The regs say you have to have it. I am thinking of driving around with my camera and taking photos of Legal and illegal and posting them.

where
Submitted by chelsea on June 28, 2012 - 7:00am.

Where in cyberspace are the regs available?

Most of the signs I have
Submitted by RICK on June 28, 2012 - 7:45am.

Most of the signs I have seen for city, county, and state candidates do not have "paid for by" on any of the large or small ones. It used to be the law. I guess I have been out of the game too long.

WhitesCreek's picture
It's the law. Shouldn't
Submitted by WhitesCreek on June 28, 2012 - 8:27am.

It's the law. Shouldn't people who want to be our law makers not be law breakers?

As Chelsea asked...
Submitted by RoaneBooster on June 28, 2012 - 9:54am.

which law where?

RB

Hope it helps!
Submitted by lawdawg1 on June 29, 2012 - 1:07pm.

Tennessee Code § 2-19-120 States that basically anything that advocates for the election or defeat of a candidate or solicits a contribution shall have the paid for by disclaimer on it. This would include something as small as a business card. There are exceptions to the rule in subsection (3). It states that bumper stickers, pins, buttons, pens, novelties and similar small items which a disclaimer cannot conveniently be printed on are exempt from the requirement.

Gotcha.
Submitted by RoaneBooster on June 29, 2012 - 1:20pm.

Thanks - I hadn't had time to scour Michie's yet.

RB

Thank you.
Submitted by chelsea on June 29, 2012 - 6:02pm.

Thank you.

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