After the 2022 city judge election, former Lenoir City judge, Robin McNabb, filed a lawsuit against current city judge, Greg Harrison. McNabb was challenging the eligibility of Harrison to run for the city judge position since he didn't/doesn't live in the city.  For two years, the case has been passing through the courts and is now in the hands of the State Supreme Court for a decision.

At the council meeting, Aikens asked the council to pay the legal fees incurred by Harrison over the last two years. Unbelievably, the council voted to pay the $45,700.00 bill to Aikens go to attorney, T Scott Jones. According to Aikens, the city would do this for any city employee. Aikens went on to ask council to allow him to file a civil suit against council candidate, Robin McNabb, to recoup the $45,700.00. Ultimately, council balked at Aikens request, opting to delay that decision until the supreme court makes their ruling.  Based on Aikens statement, that the city would do this for any city employee, I assume this includes LCUB, the city would pay legal fees for any employee no matter the cause. So let's say a city employee gets sued for kicking their neighbor's cat, Aikens says the city would pay the legal fees. Aikens has always been so benevolent with other people's money.  

There are some serious issues with both Tony Aikens actions. Ms. McNabb did not file suit against the city. Her civil suit was solely against Greg Harrison personally. It had nothing to do with him being a city judge or any actions he had taken as a judge. It was a challenge to his eligibility to run for the office since he wasn't and isn't a city resident. It is highly unlikely that the council even had the legal authority to pay Harrison's legal bill since the city wasn't a party to the suit. And the city certainly has no standing to bring a civil suit against Robin McNabb to recover the legal fees.

Here's a question though, who hired T. Scott Jones to defend Harrison to begin with? Did Harrison hire him? The council never voted to hire him. Harrison himself is supposedly a lawyer. Why couldn't he defend himself? Then the city has a full time city attorney, Walter Johnson. Johnson makes better than $70,000.00 per year to represent the city in legal matters. Why couldn't he defend Harrison if it was a city matter? Surly between Harrison and Johnson, they would have enough legal ability to provide Harrison's defense? As city judge, Harrison makes more than $80,000.00 per year. Couldn't he pay his own legal fees? Ms. McNabb has represented herself throughout the process.

This was nothing more than Aikens using city tax payer money to bail out his friend, Greg Harrison. Then he wants to spend more tax payer money to try to recoup the legal fees when he knows full well, the city has no standing in the case?

Let's call it what it is, political intimidation. Aikens is willing to use the full force and finances of Lenoir City government to punish, what he sees as a political opponent who would be a threat to his total power and control over Lenoir City. Sounds very democrat like.

Below is a link to the council meeting. The lawsuit discussion begins at the 2:45 mark of the meeting. If you're a city voter, you really need to watch this video to see how your mayor and city council works.

Click Here For Meeting Video

Nothing will ever change in Lenoir City until something changes in Lenoir City.