Davis Lundy, a policy adviser for Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, has resigned after his arrest last week on several charges.
"Having recently learned about Mr. Lundy's arrest, I am very disappointed in his apparent lack of judgment," Wamp said through his spokeswoman Mary Frances Hoots in an email to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "Mr. Lundy offered his resignation earlier today, which I accepted."
Lundy, 67, was arrested Friday, according to Hamilton County Court records, after an officer smelled marijuana coming from his vehicle.
"I observed a maroon Jeep, I followed the vehicle onto Apison Pike. While behind the vehicle I could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle," an affidavit from Collegedale Police stated.
Lundy was charged by Collegedale Police with simple possession of a schedule six substance, one charge of open container, one count of driving under the influence and one count of violation of implied consent.
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During the stop, Lundy exited the vehicle before being asked to do so, according to the affidavit. He was given a field sobriety test, which he failed.
Officers found marijuana and an open bottle of wine in Lundy's vehicle upon inspection, according to the affidavit.
The officer searched the vehicle and found 0.7 grams of suspected marijuana under the driver's seat, red wine in the cup holder, an open bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and a glass jar of 22.3 grams of suspected marijuana on the floor behind the front passenger's seat, the affidavit said.
The affidavit also said Lundy admitted to taking drinking wine while driving.
Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said she will not handle the case against Lundy, who was employed by her brother. Coty Wamp said she will hire a pro-tem prosecutor.
"In the event a District Attorney General has a conflict on a case, meaning, a connection to the defendant, a witness, or victim, the District Attorney is called to request a District Attorney pro tem," Wamp said through her spokesman Jay Price in an email. "General Wamp will request a pro tem prosecutor on Mr. Lundy's case."
Lundy was previously arrested in 1995 for violation of registration law and was ordered to pay a $2 fine after entering a guilty plea, according to Hamilton County Criminal Court records.
This weekend, Lundy was given a $1,500 bond for driving under the influence, and released on his own recognizance for the two counts of possession. Lundy posted bond shortly after being arrested and booked.
He is expected to appear Nov. 30 before Collegedale Municipal Court Judge Kevin Wilson.
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Lundy had worked for Weston Wamp since Sept. 1. He also spent more than 17 years as a journalist, including stints at the Chattanooga Times and Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Lundy also worked for Erlanger Health System for several years. After leaving Erlanger, Lundy created and ran the Moriah Group, a strategic communications firm, for 19 years.
Calls and text messages to Lundy went unanswered Monday.
In his statement, Weston Wamp said he is "encouraged by the talented team we are building to lead county government into the future, and we won't be slowed by this regrettable distraction."
Contact La Shawn Pagán at lpagan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow her on Twitter @LaShawnPagan.