County Commissioner Tim Boyd has been indicted by the Hamilton County Grand Jury on an extortion charge.
He is expected to turn himself in at the county jail with his attorney on Wednesday.
He said, “This action by the District Attorney today is perhaps the most flagrantly political, despicable, desperate thing any of us has ever seen in Hamilton County. It reeks of politics and is exactly the kind of government overreach that voters are sick and tired of.
"I welcome all the facts around Mr. Lambert’s charges, and I will take my case for re-election to the voters in District 8.
"The facts about Mr. Lambert’s taking money from the Exit 1 developers, putting it into his campaign account and then putting it in his pocket are well known. They were public before I talked with Mr. Lambert and I used these FACTS in a mailer to voters this week. Is there any question about the motivations of those involved with this?
"My attorney and I will cooperate with the Sheriff and move forward to defend my name and win an election."
Commissioner Boyd is currently locked in an election battle with fellow Republican Brent Lambert. Mr. Lambert, who is the mayor of East Ridge, earlier said he was filing charges against Commissioner Boyd.
In turn, Commissioner Boyd has hit Mayor Lambert about his acceptance of large campaign donations from developers of land near Camp Jordan Park.
Commissioner Boyd and Mayor Lambert had been set to appear in a debate on Tuesday night at Wally's Restaurant in East Ridge at the Nightside Pachyderm Club. However, club officials said both candidates called to cancel.
The primary election is just about three weeks away.
Commissioner Boyd earlier defeated Mayor Lambert in a District 8 County Commission race that also included former incumbent Curtis Adams.
Commissioner Boyd formerly lived in East Ridge, but has moved to a residence off Gunbarrel Road that is still in District 8.
Commissioner Boyd is in the construction business with his current job in the Calhoun, Ga. area.
He has frequently sparred with County Mayor Jim Coppinger.
Commissioner Boyd has also been highly critical of the Hamilton County Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority and, more recently, the Chattanooga Convention Bureau.