Mayoral candidate Larry Grohn criticized controversies and instability coming from the mayor’s administration as a sign of unethical leadership and a lack of integrity. He said, "These scandals lay out the simple fact that it is time for new leadership which is accountable to the people."
Councilman Grohn’s criticism comes after the independent auditor’s release of a memorandum concerning Lurone Jennings, administrator for the Department of Youth and Family Development. Mr. Jennings admitted to improperly funneling money into his daughter’s nonprofit organization from both the YFD opportunity fund and the Bethlehem Center’s V-fund.
Mr. Grohn said, “As the chief executive of the city, the mayor leads by his example. Andy Berke has shown a total disregard for ethical behavior and a lack of integrity. We have been constantly distracted by scandals that have been created by this admiration - the Tubman Boondoggle, Lexia, WhatsApp, Woodlawn Apartments, and others. Unethical standards and lack of integrity from the top has spread like a cancer throughout this administration. It is time to turn a new page in our city and out the current administration.
“Mr. Jennings’ punishment in this matter is a farce perpetrated upon the people of Chattanooga. His willful violation of the city code of ethics calls into question every disbursement of funds by the entire Department of Youth and Family Development. These actions would not be accepted nor tolerated in a Grohn administration. I call for a special investigation and comprehensive independent audit of the Department of Youth and Family Development. This most recent report only scratches the surface of improprieties within this administration.”