CHATTANOOGA — The Tennessee Ethics Commission requested on June 24 that District Attorney Coty Wamp investigate alleged campaign finance violations by Aaliyah Hakeem, a Democratic candidate for Criminal Court clerk. The request followed a sworn complaint filed by Charles E. Brown.

Hakeem, who is running against incumbent Republican Vince Dean, filed a campaign finance report on Monday, June 22. The report was due earlier than the date it was filed and indicated that Hakeem received $292 and spent $1,430.28.

Dean commented on Hakeem's filings. "After looking at Ms. Hakeem's filings, it is obvious that she has not followed simple rules as set forth by the Election Commission," Dean said. He added, "First, she has filed the exact same disclosure three times - once even for a reporting period that has not yet been completed (2nd quarter)."

"I also notice that in each of her disclosures she signs (under oath) that she is her own treasurer," Dean said. "However, all of her campaign materials list another individual as her treasurer - leading one to wonder if she is intentionally trying to mislead her donors." Dean further stated, "Finally, some of the entries on the filing or filings blatantly ignore the guidelines each candidate is given at the time they qualify to run for office." He noted, "All this being said, the Criminal Court clerk's office is required by law to file numerous reports with the AOC, TBI, State Department of Treasury and State Department of Revenue." Dean concluded, "If Ms. Hakeem is having trouble following the guidelines of these reports, it would be surprising to me for her to find success with filing the more complex reports that I personally deal with on a day to day basis, holding my position." Under state law, the District Attorney is to investigate and forward a report to the Ethics Office.