Tom Rowland

As long as Chattanooga City Councilman John “Duke” Franklin Jr. keeps his seat on the council, he’ll keep his memberships on the boards of the National League of Cities and the Tennessee Municipal League, officials said.

“If he is removed as an elected official of the city of Chattanooga, he automatically cannot serve on the (Municipal League) board,” said Tom Rowland, mayor of Cleveland, Tenn., and a member of the league.

As part of a drug sting that indicted 42 people, Mr. Franklin was arrested Wednesday on federal charges of conspiracy to launder money, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements. He was released after promising to appear in court.

Sherry Appel, spokeswoman for the National League of Cities, said an official may serve on the board as long as he or she is recognized as an official by his or her city or town. Mr. Franklin has served on the organization’s board since December 2006, she said.

“The board bylaws stipulate that termination from the board is only applicable is NLC’s code of conduct is breached,” she said. “The code specifically addresses conflicts of interest as they relate to NLC, not any other organization.”

Mr. Franklin’s term on the board expires in November, Ms. Appel said.

He has served on the Tennessee Municipal League board since 1998 and was the board’s president for the 2005-06 term. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

According to Chattanooga City Code, a person convicted of a felony who has not had his or her full citizenship rights restored cannot serve in elected office. There is no apparent stipulation in the code about a felony arrest.

Many City Council members have said they would prefer to wait until more information about the case comes to light before making a decision on whether to call Mr. Franklin to resign. However, Councilman Manny Rico has called for Mr. Franklin’s resignation.

Margaret Mahery, executive director of the Tennessee Municipal League, said in a statement that Mr. Franklin “has been a valuable member” of the league’s board.

“We are fortunate to live in a society where you are innocent until proven guilty,” she said. “And therefore, it is not appropriate for TML to respond until the courts act. Our concern is with his family and for him during this difficult time.”

Mr. Franklin served as president of the Tennessee Funeral Directors and Morticians Association in 1993 and 1994. His family’s funeral home is not listed on the association’s Web site as a current member of the group, now called the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association.