TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jun 24, 2022

Former Republican state representative Sheila Butt, now a candidate for Maury County mayor, has been sued for defamation of character by another mayoral candidate, Tennessee Lookout reports. David Baker, a minister and former volunteer chaplain at the Maury County Jail, filed suit Wednesday, alleging Butt defamed him through text messages, knowing the allegations were false. Baker’s attorney submitted as evidence a screenshot of a message allegedly sent by Butt that insinuates Baker was involved in “something about fraud and a man committing suicide.” He argues that the messages damaged Baker’s reputation and standing in the community. Baker and Butt, along with former Maury County Mayor Charlie Norman, are running to replace Mayor Andy Ogles, who is running for the Fifth Congressional District seat.