Wayne County Clerk faces ethics complaint over election issues

The Wayne County Ethics Board convened to address a complaint filed by citizen Tanya Wells against Wayne County Clerk Kathy Garrett. The complaint, submitted under the Wayne County ethics ordinance, alleges misconduct related to the management of local elections. A notice of the complaint was sent to Clerk Garrett on September 9, 2024, but as of the meeting, no response had been received.

Board member Mister Longstreet raised questions regarding the board's jurisdiction over the clerk's office, noting that this is the first instance of adjudicating a complaint involving the clerk. He confirmed that the Wayne County Clerk's office is indeed subject to the Ethics Board's oversight, as it operates as a department of Wayne County.

The board anticipates receiving a response from Clerk Garrett by their next meeting in October, which will provide clarity on the allegations. The complaint specifically points to an incident where a qualified candidate was allegedly not placed on the ballot, a decision that falls under the clerk's authority. The board will review the clerk's response to determine the next steps in the investigation. No votes or decisions were made during this meeting, as it primarily served as a report on the ongoing situation.