Emporia City Commissioner Erren Harter, the subject of a recall effort by members of a special recall committee, has filed suit against three committee members — and also against Lyon County Counselor Molly Priest and County Clerk/Election Officer Amie Jones in their official capacities as county government officials.
Harter filed Tuesday afternoon in Lyon County District Court, challenging the assertions from Jay Vehige, Haley Bradford and Kathleen Lamb that Harter committed misconduct while serving as a city commissioner. Vehige, Bradford and Lamb say Harter accepted personal benefits including lodging and hospitality without proper disclosure and also voted in favor of financial and public funding allocations without abstaining from those city decisions, thus concluding misuse of public office, failure to avoid conflicts of interest and failure to uphold standards of transparency and public trust.
Harter has countered, saying he has not received goods or services that are listed as “substantial interests” and has not violated any conflict of interest laws for local government officials.
The filings against Jones and Priest have to do with the recall petition being listed as sufficient to meet legal requirements. Harter says the grounds as stated aren’t specified and aren’t factual, so the petition does not meet legal baselines. Harter says he has not violated any law, notably any law impacting his ability to be a city commissioner.
Harter is asking District Court to order an end to the recall petition. To that end, he is also seeking both temporary and permanent injunction status. No court dates have been posted.
