A union that represents some city employees has asked county election officials to seek criminal prosecution of former City Councilwoman Marti Rutherford.
Doug Collier, president of the Tennessee chapter of the Service Employees International Union, said in a three-page letter, "In our view, the evidence overwhelmingly establishes that Ms. Rutherford registered at a fraudulent address for the purpose of qualifying for election in a council district in which she did not live. It is also clear that Ms. Rutherford unlawfully voted in an improper precinct on many occasions since December 2003."
He asked that the Election Commission "review our complaint, then refer this matter to the attorney general for prosecution."
Bud Knowles, election administrator, said the Election Commission will discuss the letter at its next meeting - on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.
Ms. Rutherford resigned from the council in early October after the residency issue was raised.
City Council members indicated Tuesday they likely will not seek reimbursement of the some $52,000 in salary she was paid while she was allegedly not living in her district.
Mr. Collier said SEIU "represents numerous city employees. Our members are concerned that elected officials such as Ms. Rutherford must be held to account if they violate the law."
He said SEIU filed one of the complaints that led City Attorney Randy Nelson to file an ouster suit against Ms. Rutherford.
Mr. Collier said the union has also sent a complaint to District Attorney Bill Cox. He said Mr. Cox "has advised that this matter must first be reviewed by the Election Commission, and that the commission then has a duty to notify him if a violation has occurred."
Mr. Collier said, "It seems clear that Ms. Rutherford violated the election code on many occasions by voting and standing for election as a candidate in Council District 6, even though she clearly did not reside in that district."