Nashville’s District Attorney is now investigating an anonymous robocall that characterizes mayoral candidate David Fox as an extreme rightwing Republican. The message does not disclose who paid for it, a potential violation of federal law.
The DA’s office has gotten
several requests to look into the claim, and spokesperson Dorinda Carter says prosecutors should know quickly whether a source can be determined.
“There is some urgency on the part of those involved, with the election just a few days away,” Carter says. “So we will try to move it as quickly as we can, if it is possible to move forward at all.”
The campaign of David Fox has asked that whoever is responsible be charged with a crime. Even if the DA finds wrongdoing, it’s possible the responsible party could be turned over to the state’s Registry of Election Finance, which is primarily restricted to issuing fines.
Fox’s campaign has accused Megan Barry and Charles Robert Bone of possibly being behind the robocall. Both say they had no part in it. A spokesman for Bill Freeman also denies any knowledge of the source.
Update: Aug. 4, 5:50 a.m.
Fox’s campaign released a statement Monday night accusing Democratic State Rep. Bo Mitchell of being being behind the robocalls. Mitchell is a Freeman supporter.
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