Elections Superintendent to Decide if Embattled Former Councilman Can Run Again

RINGGOLD, GA (WDEF) – Elections Superintendent, Orma Luckey, gave each side thirty minutes to state their case as to why former city councilman Charles Sharrock should or should not be given a chance to reclaim his council seat come November 4th.

Attorney Stuart James says, "The council found that Mr. Sharrock had committed malfeasance in office. Part of that was due to his sexual harassment of not one, but three employees of the city."

James goes on to say it’s actually illegal for Sharrock to run again until 2015.

James adds, "Until that term of office from which he’s been removed has ended, he is not permitted to be on the ballot. There’s nothing you can do about it."

Sharrock also addressed Superintendent Luckey and maintained his innocence.

Sharrock adds, "I have not done anything. I have not done anything or said anything illegal to any employee that works here, female or male."

Sharrock says this issue has nothing to do with sexual harrassment, and everything to do with politics.

Sharrock adds, "This is just dirty rotten politics in the City of Fort Oglethorpe or some of its council members and the city manager."

Luckey says, "I’ll take all that into consideration and you will have my decision in writing next week."

But Attorney McCrackin Poston believes Superintendent Luckey already has her mind made up since she initially put Sharrock on the ballot.

He asked her to recuse herself, however she said, "I cannot do that."

Luckey adds, "I had to have an open mind to have this meeting and I have not made my decision."

James Cooper, a resident, says, "We’ll just wait and see what her decision is."

Last July, a superior court judge upheld the council’s decision to fire Sharrock.