A public policy group filed complaints today against eight government officials across the state for failing to turn in their public disclosure statements.

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research is a Nashville-based ‘think tank’ known for calling out government officials for their actions and for what the group sees as pork-barrel spending. Trent Siebert is a researcher for the group. He says the disclosure forms are vital for voters.

“Public officials, from the dogcatcher on up, if you’re elected, you need to file a financial disclosure statement. It tells you where all your money is coming from, what outstanding loans you have, where your investments are. And that tells voters, do you have a conflict of interest as you vote on big, important issues that come before your community.”

Seibert says of the 6-thousand elected officials in the state about 12-hundred have not filed this financial disclosure. He says his group is trying to send a message by filing complaints on a few who serve on various levels of local government, and that it will continue to file charges until all disclosures have been issued. He says these officials ought to know better.

Middle Tennesseans on the list include LaVergne Mayor Ronnie Erwin and Franklin Adlerman Beverly Burger

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Complaints were filed against these officials:

• Gregory Beck

Commissioner, Hamilton County

• Charles “Pepper” Bray

Councilman, Jackson City Council

• Henri Brooks

Commissioner, Shelby County

• John Brookshire

Commissioner, Johnson County Commission

• Beverly Burger

Alderman, Franklin

• Ronnie Erwin

Mayor, La Vergne

• Jimmy Jones

Sheriff, Knox County

• Michael Surgenor

Commissioner, Sullivan County Commission