PDF: Henegar resignation
JASPER, Tenn. – The TBI investigation into allegations of fraud and nepotism by the Marion County elections administrator continues despite her recent resignation.
Holly Henegar also faces an April 27 hearing that could lead to her losing her state administrator’s certification, although her attorney says the issue is moot.
And the Marion County Election Commission has advertised for a new administrator, but election commission Chairman Oscar Brown said he doesn’t think one will be appointed before the May 4 county primary.
“The deadline for applications is the fifth (of May),” said Mr. Brown. “We’ll be taking applications until then. We will have a meeting after that, after the primary. I’m not sure how we’re going to do it, but we want to make sure we follow the proper procedures.”
Mrs. Henegar resigned April 8, citing “over a year (of) harassing behavior to such an extent that it has seriously altered the conditions of my employment.”
On Feb. 1, fired election commission employee Dean Reams filed a complaint with the state Division of Elections accusing Mrs. Henegar of fraudulent payroll transactions and of hiring family members, among other allegations.
Mrs. Henegar’s attorney, John Ray Clemmons, in February called the charges “a political witch hunt.”
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reopened an investigation that began in 2009, and that probe continues, TBI spokeswoman Kristin Helm said.
“We haven’t turned it over to the DA yet. We don’t expect a result any time imminent,” Ms. Helm said.
Mr. Clemmons said last week that the Tennessee Election Commission is to decide April 27 whether to hold a hearing May 18 to decertify Mrs. Henegar as an election administrator.
Since Mrs. Henegar has resigned, “it would be a great waste of resources for them to move forward with this case,” he said.
Mrs. Henegar was unavailable for comment.
Asked about allegations that Mrs. Henegar’s resignation was the result of a politically motivated “witch hunt” by Republicans, Mr. Brown, a Republican, offered an explanation.
“That’s what the talk is, but (the county election commissioners) are under a gag order from the DA,” he said. “It’s more complicated than that.”