The administrator of elections in Bradley County is free on a $2,000 bond stemming from a DUI charge and another related charge after Cleveland police found her in a car that had run off the road into a ditch.
Administrator of Elections Frances H. Green, 53, of Bent Tree Drive, Cleveland, was found around 9 p.m. March 26 in a 2004 Jeep that was in a ditch near the intersection of Harrison Pike and Country Club Drive, according to an affidavit filed in Bradley County General Sessions Court by Cleveland Police Officer Lauren Judkins. Another officer at the scene alleged he was having difficulty getting Green to respond to questions.
"I observed a strong odor of alcohol coming from within the vehicle," Judkins' affidavit states. "I observed the female to continue to look through her personal belongings. When I asked her what she was looking for, she stated her ID. I advised that she had already provided that. I asked the female to exit the vehicle. I had to ask her multiple times before opening the door to assist her out."
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Green was "extremely unsteady on her feet," the affidavit states, and she allegedly smelled of alcohol.
Green told officers she had consumed three beers and had come from the local VFW, according to the affidavit.
Green allegedly refused to submit to a sobriety test, a blood sample or breath analysis to determine the presence of alcohol, the affidavit states. Jail personnel told officers Green, while being booked, allegedly admitted to having about five drinks.
Judkins noted in the affidavit that Green has no criminal history.
Green was appointed to the administrator of elections post in April 2004, when the previous administrator of elections, David Ellis, was placed on medical leave, according to Chattanooga Times Free Press archives. Until that time, Green had served as assistant administrator of elections.
According to Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis, the county Election Commission's budget shows Green's salary is $97,661.
"She's still an employee of the Election Commission, who hires and fires," Davis said in a phone interview.
Election Commission Chair Travis Henry, a Cleveland attorney, did not return a call to his office seeking comment on Green's arrest or employment status. A staff member in his law office said he was in meetings.
Green was temporarily out of the office, according to Election Commission staff who answered the phone Wednesday. Green did not immediately return a message left at her office seeking comment on the arrest. She also did not immediately return a phone message left at her home.
Green faces a June 13 court date, according to court officials.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.
Staff Photo/ A steady stream of people of enters and leaves the Bradley County Election Commission Office during early voting hours in Cleveland in April 2018.