BENTON COUNTY (KFSM) — The Arkansas Ethics Commission is investigating a Benton County Justice of the Peace after Benton County Sheriff Kelley Cradduck filed an citizen complaint against him.
In his citizen complaint, Cradduck claims Justice of the Peace Kevin Harrison asked Benton County Sheriff’s Office Major Shawn Holloway to order his personnel to not allow any employees to serve bank papers that would have allowed the sale of Harrison’s personal property because of a $10,000 tax debt owed by Harrison.
The Ethics Commission investigation will focus on whether Harrison, in his capacity as Justice of the Peace, violated Arkansas code by using or attempting to use his official position to secure special privileges or exemptions, according to a letter sent to Cradduck March 31.
Cradduck lost the Republican nomination for sheriff in the March 1 primary election. Following a runoff election on March 22, Holloway walked away with the nomination and will face Independent candidate Glenn Latham in the November general election.
Harrison issued the following response regarding the allegations: “This is an ongoing investigation, so I won’t comment other than to say [the complaint] was filed by the sheriff two days after he lost his election. Once the investigation is concluded I’ll be more than happy to give a statement.”
Holloway also issued a response: “[The allegations are] absolutely not true. I am not at the sheriff’s office anymore. My understanding is this complaint was generated by Sheriff Cradduck two days after I defeated him in the primary, which seems politically motivated.”