Update, Nov. 13, 2024: Voter registration fraud and perjury charges against Richard Garrett were dismissed on Sept. 15, 2022, and expunged on Oct. 31, 2024.
Update, Nov. 27, 2023: Charges against a second person in the case were expunged on Nov. 27, 2023. The article has been updated.
Previously:
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Former Ward 1 City Council member Richard Garrett pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to charges of perjury and voter registration fraud.
He was arrested on Aug. 6 after turning himself in. He did not appear in court Tuesday, and his arraignment was waived.
Garrett resigned his seat on the City Council on July 22 after the District Attorney’s Office filed two lawsuits against him for living outside of his ward. Both lawsuits were civil in nature and no criminal charges were filed at the time. However, the arrest stems from alleged dishonesty throughout the lawsuits.
Garrett told Clarksville Now shortly after his arrest that he believed the charges to be politically and racially motivated. “The motives behind this whole investigation and indictment are purely racial and political. To go after (me) and have law enforcement traumatize my kids while (I was) at work really showed their true colors,” Garrett said.
Attorney Ben Aaron represented Garrett on behalf of Will Ramsey, who was unable to attend court in-person.
Judge Bateman disclosed that he had a potential conflict of interest in hearing the case as he knew Garrett. He said he had been asked to introduce Garrett at functions.
The case was reset to Sept. 24 for a status hearing and a potential discussion about Bateman’s ability to hear the case.