City Councilman Andraé McGary could face an inquiry about possible violations of Chattanooga's Code of Ethics because of a website he made to help raise money for a former teacher acquitted on child molestation charges, officials said Friday.
"You cannot use the office for financial gain," Council Chairman Manny Rico said. "We may have a problem there."
Mr. McGary, who recently took a job as a radio talk show host, said Friday he saw no problems with the website for Tonya Craft, saying he is not asking for donations be sent to him. He said he asks only that if anyone has any questions about the validity they should contact him.
"I'm not using my address to raise money," he said.
The website -- helptonya.com -- gives reasons to viewers why they should contribute to help Ms. Craft, a former Chickamauga, Ga., kindergarten teacher who was acquitted last week of 22 counts of child molestation, aggravated child molestation and aggravated sexual battery.
The website says Ms. Craft "lost her job, her home and her kids." It says she "lost all she owns the past two years while fighting for her life" and asks that readers donate by paying to a Paypal account. In a note at the bottom of the website, Mr. McGary tells users that he created the site "to serve the citizens of my district and concerned citizens everywhere."
It says all money is being transferred to the website, truthfortonya.com, and then says "if you have any questions about the validity of this site" contact Mr. McGary. It gives his City Council e-mail address and council telephone number.
Upon hearing that City Code specifically says council members are not to use their position for financial gain for "himself or any other person or entity," Mr. McGary said he at first understood it to mean himself or anyone within his own private circle.
ON THE WEBSee Councilman Andraé McGary's website for Tonya Craft at helptonya.com.WHAT THE CODE SAYSChattanooga City Code specifically forbids financial gain in its code of ethics. The code states:"An official or employee shall not use or disclose information obtained in his official capacity or position of employment with the intent to result in financial gain for himself or any other person or entity."
He said he would change it if there were any doubts.
"I'll reread it," Mr. McGary said.
But he contended that he was not asking people to send money to his City Council e-mail address.
Mr. Rico said Friday that he planned to talk to City Attorney Mike McMahan about the site and also could bring up the issue in the council's Legal and Legislative Committee meeting.
Mr. McMahan said Friday that Mr. McGary has a right to solicit as a radio talk show host. He did say that using the city's e-mail address and phone number within the site did border on the edge of violating the code of ethics. He said he could not say whether that is a clear violation of the ethics policy.
"I would much prefer him do that through the radio station," Mr. McMahan said. "That would clear any impropriety."
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: Councilman McGary resigns homeless coalition job amid controversy
Article: Get involved to combat gangs, McGary says