Sullivan County has its Highway Commissioner back at work, but his arrest, along with foreman David Campbell, has sparked a political controversy.
Allan Pope is running for re-election unopposed and Campbell's wife Peggy, who currently serves as Pope's secretary, is running for county trustee on the Republican ticket.
Campbell said she believes her candidacy might be behind her husband's arrest, and the investigation is an attempt to smear her campaign. "It kind of is going hand in hand as far as trying to discourage people in regards to my vote," said Campbell.
But, her opponent, Democrat Frances Harrell, said she has nothing to do with the inquiry. "That was up to the TBI and the DA and I have no knowledge of anything," said Harrell.
District Attorney General Greeley Wells said it is just not possible that the charges are politically motivated.
"In this instance the Grand Jury, which is totally apolitical and totally selected by random obviously believed by their actions that there was probable cause to believe that crimes had been committed and Mr. Pope and Mr. Campbell committed them," said Wells.
Assuming Pope wins the election on August 5th, if he is later found guilty and has to leave office, what would happen? Sullivan County Election Administrator Jason Booher said it depends on timing. If Pope were to vacate the position before September 3, the race would go back on the ballot in November's election. If it happened later than the third, the County Commission would fill the vacancy.
For a full video report, watch the video above.
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