RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - A formal ethics complaint was filed with the Rutherford County Ethics Committee alleging multiple violations by County Mayor Joe Carr, including misuse of public office, personnel, and property for personal gain, attempted interference in official proceedings, and orchestrating politically motivated attacks against another elected official. A subsequent amendment added allegations of retaliation and misuse of county staff following the filing of the initial complaint.

The ethics complaint against Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr was filed by area resident Jason Bennett, who lives in District 20, served by long-time County Commissioner Trey Gooch. The complaint was filed on Monday, November 10, 2025. Originally, it appeared that the complaint was submitted by a “concerned citizen.” However, after a county employee allegedly contacted the citizen's place of work, Jason Bennett told WGNS that he was willing to have his name publicly released in connection with the filing, which can be read in full detail, along with the “Amendment” HERE (PDF). NOTE: Mr. Bennett confirmed that the original complaint was not anonymous; he had simply identified himself as a “concerned citizen,” but still filed it as himself.

According to the complaint, Bennett alleges multiple instances of misconduct by Mayor Carr that work to undermine the integrity of county government. The first claim centers on accusations that Mayor Carr improperly attempted to influence Commissioner Robert Peay ahead of a July 2024 ethics hearing involving Property Assessor Rob Mitchell. The complaint asserts that such behavior constitutes unethical interference in a quasi-judicial proceeding, violating the principle of impartiality expected of elected officials.

The complaint also alleges that Mayor Carr used his county office and employees to support a private business venture. Specifically, he is accused of selling his personal honey products out of his courthouse office and directing county-paid staff members to assist with these transactions. Bennett stated that the mayor’s conduct—supported by a screenshot of a social media exchange in which an online user inquired about purchasing the mayor’s honey—appears to be a clear violation of ethics rules prohibiting the use of public property, resources, or personnel for personal gain.

In addition, the complaint outlines a broader pattern of politically motivated actions targeting Property Assessor Rob Mitchell. It claims Mayor Carr coordinated with the county’s lobbyist and possibly the Public Information Officer to orchestrate a smear campaign, including the misuse of county resources and the dissemination of sensitive personnel information to the media. The filing also raises concerns that the county’s Codes Department, which reports to the mayor, failed to properly document or collect fees related to a greenhouse structure on Carr’s property. The complaint calls for a full ethics investigation and referral of findings to both the District Attorney’s Office and the Tennessee Comptroller to determine whether criminal or financial misconduct occurred.

Key Allegations in the Complaint

1. Improper Influence on a County Commissioner
   • The complaint suggested that Mayor Carr allegedly attempted to sway Commissioner Robert Peay before a July 2024 ethics hearing concerning Property Assessor Rob Mitchell.
   • The complaint argues that this represents unethical interference in a quasi-judicial proceeding.
2. Use of County Office and Staff for Personal Business
   • The mayor reportedly used his courthouse office and county-paid employees (Noted on attached screenshot/information sent to the committee as “Rachel and Carla”) to sell his private honey products, as indicated in a social media exchange.
   • Bennett said in his complaint that this behavior is alleged to violate ethics codes prohibiting the use of public property or personnel for personal profit.
3. Political Smear Campaign Against Property Assessor Rob Mitchell
   • The Murfreesboro residents explained in his complaint that there is evidence from emails and communications suggesting that Mayor Carr coordinated with county lobbyist Will Denami and possibly the Public Information Officer (PIO) to discredit Assessor Mitchell.
     See more about Tennessee's lobbying laws HERE (PDF).
   • Another item Bennett points to is a “whistleblower” complaint, that he said allegedly originated from the mayor’s office, transmitted via Denami, and later filed by an employee—raising questions of political manipulation and misuse of county resources.
   • The complaint claims sensitive personnel information about a new hire in Mitchell’s office was leaked to media outlets to damage reputations.
4. Potential Abuse of County Codes Department
   • Bennett alleges that a county codes employee was reportedly sent to the mayor’s home to investigate a structure issue (a greenhouse) but failed to document it properly. The mayor allegedly never paid the associated permit fee, despite the department reporting to his office.

Requested Actions in Complaint

• Full investigation by the Rutherford County Ethics Committee.
• Referral of findings to the District Attorney’s Office and the Tennessee Comptroller for review of potential official misconduct and misuse of public funds.

Amendment to Original Complaint: Bennett contends that shortly after he filed the ethics complaint, he became the target of retaliation orchestrated through county personnel. He alleges that the director of a county department, who is a county employee, called his employer to ask about his employment status—a move Bennett believes was made at the direction of Mayor Carr in an attempt to intimidate or monitor him. He argues that the timing and nature of the call suggest retaliation and possible witness intimidation, as well as a misuse of county resources for personal or political purposes. Bennett also raises concerns that the inquiry constituted an invasion of privacy, as it lacked any legitimate governmental justification and appeared intended to discourage his participation in the ethics process.

New Allegation: Retaliation and Misuse of County Personnel – According to Amendment

• The amendment to the complaint showed that shortly after submitting the letter and its attached examples, a county employee allegedly called Bennett’s employer asking if Bennett was still employed there.
• This incident is described as retaliatory and possibly directed by Mayor Carr, intended to intimidate or surveil the complainant.

Specific Concerns Raised in Complaint:

• Retaliation and Witness Intimidation: Timing and content suggest an attempt to discourage or punish the complainant.
• Misuse of County Resources: County staff allegedly used for personal or political purposes, unrelated to official duties.
• Violation of Privacy: The employment inquiry lacked lawful justification and may represent improper surveillance of a private citizen.

Requested Actions (Amendment):

1. Include this incident in the overall ethics investigation.
2. Determine whether county resources were misused.
3. Assess potential retaliation or witness intimidation.
4. Refer findings to the District Attorney and Tennessee Comptroller.

Bennett went on to suggest that together, the complaint and later the amendment, accuse Mayor Joe Carr of a pattern of ethical and legal violations, including:

• Attempted manipulation of an ethics process,
• Personal business conducted through county offices and employees,
• Political retaliation against fellow officials, and
• Possible retribution against a citizen who filed an ethics complaint.

Both filings in the complaint seek independent investigations into misconduct, retaliation, and misuse of public office and resources by the Rutherford County Mayor. See/Read the Complaint HERE (PDF).