Morning Update

Former Knox County Trustee employee John Haun has agreed to pay back the money:

A longtime employee of the Knox County Trustee’s office who was fired for allegedly overpaying himself to the tune of $100,000 has agreed to pay back the money, his attorney has said. He worked in the Trustee’s office for 20 years before his termination last year.

Ragsdale cleared in ‘official oppression’ charge by county auditor:

Nichols concluded by saying: “Whether the alleged acts of the mayor and his staff are improper, wrongful or retaliatory may be matters on which the (Ethics) Committee may or may not act under its ethics responsibilities, but as discussed here they cannot legally support a criminal prosecution and no further action by the district attorney’s office is warranted.”

State Judicial Nominating Commission chair quits after DUI charge. More here and here. He gave this parting reason:

Bautista cited “a myriad of other commitments” as the reason he was stepping down effective immediately

House Speaker Kent Williams appointed Mr. Bautista to the commission. From the Elizabethton Star:

The Elizabethton Star said David Bautista, 70, was also charged with violation of the Implied Consent Law after an Elizabethton officer saw him driving the wrong way on a street, causing cars to swerve to miss his vehicle.