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JACKSBORO, TN., (WLAF)- In less than two minutes, former LaFollette Mayor Mike Stanfield’s legal woes were over.
This morning, Nathan Nichols, the attorney general appointed to hear the case, announced in court the state had decided to drop the felony charges Stanfield was facing. “The state filed an ouster petition last month and it was granted,” Nichols told Eighth Judicial Criminal Court Judge Shayne Sexton. Stanfield was removed from office and the state believes that was an appropriate disposition in the case, Nichols said. Steve Hurst, Stanfield’s attorney added that it was an “ouster by consent.”
The former mayor was not present in court for the announcement of the dismissal.
Stanfield was indicted last year after the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation looked into allegations that his conduct was illegal. In Sept. 2020, Stanfield was indicted on seven counts of official misconduct, one count of retaliation for reporting to the comptroller and one count of misrepresenting information to a state auditor.
His alleged misdeeds dated back to 2015, according to the indictment. Stanfield was accused of using his elected office for personal benefit, coercing city employees to lie, operating outside his authorized powers and retaliating against employees for reporting his crimes.
Stanfield was also accused of using city property for personal purposes and having a city employee perform work that benefitted Stanfield, the indictment said. Along with this, the former mayor was accused of directing a city employee to provide false statements to auditors.
Last month, Stanfield was removed from the mayor’s office. This was done after Nichols filed the ouster suit on behalf of the state.
In October, Stanfield told WLAF, “To be honest with you, I am not guilty,” Stanfield said. “I have used my personal stuff to help the taxpayers.” Listing a litany of deeds he had completed while acting under his role of mayor, Stanfield insisted his prosecution was politically motivated. “If I have to, I will go on my way,” he said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 12/22/2021 11:25 AM)
I’m very glad this was done. Mike Stanfield is a very good man and I’m so sorry he has had to endure this ill-treatment. Merry Christmas Mike and God bless you. And by the way, thank you for your service to this country, unfortunately, giving politically minded people the “right” to try to degrade good people. God Bless you!!!