Third District Congressional candidate Weston Wamp said Friday he secretly taped a conversation he had at the home of Athens, Tn., businessman Scottie Mayfield because of concerns about "a dishonest Congressman" with "nasty politics."
Mr. Wamp went to the home of Mr. Mayfield, who ran unsuccessfully for the seat two years ago, two days before Mr. Mayfield came to Chattanooga for a press conference to endorse Rep. Chuck Fleischmann.
Mr. Wamp said, “I had a private, respectful conversation with Scottie Mayfield. As I told Scottie, I turned on my iPhone recorder for my own protection as anyone would who is running against a dishonest Congressman who has already been sued for defamation of character. I was concerned and still am concerned that Mr. Mayfield may have been a victim of the lies, threats and misinformation that has been spread from Congressman Fleischmann, and his cronies, since I entered the race in January.
“Scottie Mayfield says he thought the conversation was private and it was, until he made it public today. I intended to keep it private; you will have to ask him why he chose to make it public.
“This latest episode is typical of Congressman Fleischmann’s desperate tactics. The latest of which include the Congressman intimidating, harassing and threatening donors to my campaign for not supporting him. We have received reports that Congressman Fleischmann has threatened to 'blacklist' donors and not help them in his official capacity unless they support him in his re-election campaign. This, of course, is against federal law.
“It’s unfortunate that while I am in Scott County trying to work with people to make their lives better, Congressman Fleischmann is focused on nasty politics again. This is what people all over the district tell me they are sick and tired off from politicians.”