GILES COUNTY ETHICS COMMITTEE MINUTES
29 OCTOBER 2025
Vice Chair of previous Ethics Committee Commissioner James Lathrop opened the meeting until Chair and Vice Chair of current committee could be elected. He asked Commissioner Evan Baddour to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. Previous minutes of 4 March 2024 were noted as was the presence of County Attorney Chris Williams, who per the Chair would shortly present an overview of the county’s ethics policy. The Chair noted the meeting, required by 1 November, was meeting a few days earlier and asked if there were any objections in doing so. There being none he moved to the election of Chair. A nomination by Giles County Trustee Tony Risner, seconded by Commissioner Evan Baddour (although no second required in nominations), was made to elect Commissioner James Lathrop as chair. Another nomination to elect Commissioner Evan Baddour as chair was made by James Lathrop, seconded by Evan Baddour. Voting of 3 to 2 resulted in Commissioner Lathrop being elected as chair. Nomination for Vice Chair was then opened with Commissioner Lathrop nominating Commissioner Evan Baddour and with Tony Risner providing a second, Commissioner Baddour was elected by affirmation.
Attorney Chris Williams then noted he would be addressing the rules and procedures previously provided by e-mail as well as addressing state laws for the committee to better understand objectives and functions of the committee. He also said due to the nature of the complaint (provided previously to members of the committee) more meetings including executive session(s) and more investigations would probably be required. The Chair asked about public meetings vs private meetings on such an issue and how social media information might prejudice the potential case or open individuals up to liability. Attorney Williams responded that an executive session is one of the few closed county meetings possible, and that the meeting today is simply informative. He also said the Giles County Code of Ethics is available to the public on the county’s website. Attorney Williams then read from various sections of the policy, i.e., regarding gifts, conflict of interest, misconduct, description of ethics committee responsibilities (noting screening authority mostly) and to whom the policy applies. He called out elected personnel, employed personnel, arbitrators, attorneys, members of boards, committees appointed by county and gave examples of how they might be affected. He then described the process, i.e., the County Attorney shall determine if the complaint meets the requirements spelled out in the policy and shall submit that determination to the Chair of the Ethics Committee within 10 days of receipt of the complaint. Prior to the County Attorney’s determination, the County Executive Graham Stowe had requested an independent investigation of allegations. County Attorney in discussing the validity of the complaint said that function is a “gate keeper”, and today the committee’s function is to determine if the complaint meets the policy requirements and should go forward. If so, the process would require a letter be sent to the initiator of the complaint giving date, time place of hearing; include a Miranda reading for respondent, who may bring in another attorney, and/or bring in witnesses and may file an answer. He noted this committee serves a quasi-judicial responsibility for proceeding. He also noted in the state standards a requirement for a criminal complaint must have clear and convincing evidence but in civil cases the standards are lower, i.e., reasonable doubt. He described some of the actions that might happen given sufficient evidence, e.g., refer to county attorney, refer to legislative body for censure, and if violate state standards refer to state’s attorney general; or take no action. Attorney Williams discussed the “review” portion of the standards, noting financial interest, use of position for benefit, disclose information not available to public; anything of value as gift. Re unprofessional conduct, he said that should be kept confidential and presented to the legislative body. After the summation of statutes and policy he paused and the Chair asked if any questions.
Commissioner Evan Baddour recapped his understanding as to what the next step should be for the committee, first stating determine if litigation is pending; next step set up interviews; and afterwards recommendation. He noted the interviews need to be private to ensure openness and safety. And he discussed reaching out to the attorney for the complainant. The Chair mentioned needing to hearing investigative facts in executive session. Attorney Williams recommended to go forward, (although the county attorney finds the complaint to meet the policy requirements for submittal, the committee must also deem the complaint valid for submittal within the guidelines of the policy.) Next would be an Executive Session for more fact finding, possibly hear the attorney who has talked to several of the interested parties, get with the complaintive attorney. He noted several things could happen as a result but he also noted it would be a lengthy process. Commissioner Evan Baddour regarding the committee determining if this is a valid complaint, Attorney Williams stated that you might need to be more informed or you could consider you have enough here. A motion to schedule an executive session as soon as possible was made by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Jim Potts, and was approved by acclimation.
Unfinished business – Trustee Tony Risner asked about a date for the executive session and County Attorney Chris Williams said he would work on that. Commissioner Evan Baddour asked about discussing this with the public, or not, with Attorney Williams commenting that slander/libel is a real thing with considerable consequences. Commissioner Baddour stressed however that truth is not slander but to the public attending just be careful noting concern in adding to what was said in today’s meeting. Commissioner David Adams said for him the difficulty is that so many people are asking and they want to know where he stands. Sheriff Joe Purvis discussed how his organization deals with complaints.
Commissioner Terry Jones invited all to a hamburger event for Darlene Slinger on the 30th. A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Evan Baddour, seconded by Trustee Tony Risner, and was approved unanimously.
ATTENDEES: Members of the Committee – Chair Commissioner James Lathrop, other Commissioners Evan Baddour, (absent Commissioner Erin Curry, Rose Brown) Other members – Tony Risner, Jim Potts, Maurice Woodard, Other Commissioners in attendance – Terry Jones, Tracy Wilburn, Gayle Jones, David Wamble, Annelle Guthrie, Brad Butler, Carman Brown, Shelly Goolsby, David Adams, Joyce Woodard, Roger Reedy Other County Executive Graham Stowe, Sheriff Joe Purvis and Woodard, Financial Management Shana Woodard, County Attorney Chris Williams, Attorney Robert Laxson, and members of the public