Hamilton County Sessions Court judges David Bales, left, and Bob Moon are the subject of a complaint filed with the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary, courthouse sources say.Two local Sessions Court judges, Bob Moon and David Bales, are targets of ethics complaints filed with the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary, sources said Wednesday.
The sources, three local attorneys who asked to remain anonymous because of the confidential nature of judicial complaints, said the complaints include accusations that Bales and Moon lobbied for local politicians in violation of ethics rules.
One of the candidates for Hamilton County mayor, Mike Carter, publicly has alleged Moon and Bales actively lobbied against his appointment. On Wednesday, county commissioners deadlocked again between Carter, currently special assistant to County Mayor Claude Ramsey, and Hamilton County Commissioner Jim Coppinger.
The Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct forbids judges from engaging in certain political activities. For example, judges cannot publicly endorse candidates but can make their views known privately to others.
Moon said he did not know about the complaints but added that he was speaking privately when he told commissioners who he thinks should be the next mayor. Bales did not return three telephone calls seeking comment Wednesday.
“I’m not aware of anything like that,” Moon said of the complaints. “I’ve been on the bench 24 years, and I’ve got an unblemished ethical record.”
Tim Discenza, chief disciplinary counsel to the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary, said Wednesday he could not comment and all complaints are confidential. He said complaints do not become a matter of public record until a judge receives a form of public discipline.
One source told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that Criminal Court Judge Rebecca Stern filed one of the complaints, but Stern refused to comment.
The source said that complaint is extensive and detailed, including newspaper clippings, notations of the judges’ appearance at Hamilton County Pachyderm Club meetings, and public statements.
“It covers a wide range of matters, and I’m sure most recently the conversations about the county mayor,” the source said.
Commissioner Joe Graham, who earlier had confirmed Bales and Moon contacted him about the mayoral vacancy, said he had no knowledge of the complaint but said he had heard a rumor one would be filed.
Another lawyer source pointed to two Chattanoogan.com articles from August. One had Moon praising Graham on his election victory; in the other, Graham was quoted as thanking Moon and Bales for their guidance and mentorship.
Graham said Wednesday that Bales and Moon helped his campaign behind the scenes.
“They didn’t do it publicly,” Graham said. “What they did as far as guidance was behind the scenes and after hours. We were strategizing and trying to work things out on the telephone. They didn’t contribute [financially]. They didn’t come to any of my fundraisers. There was nothing at all there that was wrong.”
Moon said he spoke with three or four commissioners about whom he wanted as county mayor. He said the commissioners contacted him first to ask his opinion. “It’s just rumor and innuendo,” Moon said.
“I have exercised my private First Amendment rights to relay my preference as I have done in many elections,” Moon said. “I have stayed very private, not public.”
Coppinger said he had not heard about the complaint. Carter did not return multiple calls and an e-mail seeking comment.
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