Tyree files complaint over Sheriff Jones' campaign Web site

Tyree files complaint over Sheriff Jones' campaign Web site

By KRISTYN HENTSCHEL
6 News Reporter 

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Concerns over the campaign Web site for Knox County Sheriff J.J. Jones have lead his election opponent, Randy Tyree, to file a complaint.

Tyree's complaint, filed with the Merit System Council, claims Jones' Web site has images of 14 sheriff's office employees who aren't supposed to appear on behalf of a candidate while on the job.

Tyree also takes issue with sheriff's cruisers and helicopters shown in images on the site. He wants the council to make Jones remove the images.

Officials with the sheriff's office say they believe a feature on the campaign site called "Read about a Tyree Christmas" caused Tyree to file the complaint.

The feature has links to five Knoxville News Sentinel articles. Four are from 1982 about job cuts for city employees. One is from 2006 about Tyree still paying a 1982 campaign debt.

Jones issued a statement Thursday afternoon that says:

"Once again, Randy has run out of money and issues. He continues to try and hide the fact that he has little or no law enforcement experience and the fact that he has a past of mismanaging money. Putting him in charge of a $60 million budget is like putting a fox in a hen house."

Tyree denies the Christmas feature is the reason for his complaint.

The Merit System Council says it will look into Tyree's complaint but there's no timeframe for when a response will be issued.

Tyree lost by six percent to then Sheriff Tim Hutchison in the August 2006 election.

But in January 2007, Tyree withdrew his name from consideration to be appointed sheriff when  Hutchison was forced to leave office due to term limits.

J.J. Jones has twice been appointed by county commission to serve as sheriff after Hutchison left office.