Legal analysis published by Metro attorneys has defanged all three allegations against Councilmember Rollin Horton and recommends dismissal of an ethics complaint filed against him by local activists.
Lauren Magli, Chris Remke and Rachel Gladstone co-signed a November complaint against Horton that alleges various violations of the city’s Standards of Conduct for elected officials. According to a memo reviewed by the Scene, the Metro Department of Law has deemed that the complaint’s three allegations do not meet the standard for an ethics violation even if found to be true.
Petition organizers allege cyber harassment incidents, doxxing, misuse of police resources, interference with volunteers
Magli, Remke and Gladstone have all advocated against zoning reforms pushed by Horton in the Metro Council that would allow for increased density in parts of Nashville. Magli and Remke were also involved in a failed effort to petition for Horton’s recall from office earlier this year. They are among a vocal and insistent group of residents — many living in wealthy enclaves like West Meade, Belle Meade and Forest Hills — who have organized against zoning reform with groups like Save Our Nashville Neighborhoods and Voices of District 20. Horton opponents have also identified January board elections held by the Nations Neighborhood Association as a potential next move against the district councilmember.
Metro’s Board of Ethical Conduct is set to discuss the complaint against Horton at its Dec. 17 meeting, which will open with a public comment period. City legal analysis significantly weakens complainants’ case against Horton, potentially setting up the complaint’s outright dismissal.
Magli, Remke and Gladstone argue that Horton be held responsible for an anonymous Instagram post revealing Magli’s home address and for two confrontations that hindered the recall campaign’s failed signature-gathering effort.
Exhibits attached to the complaint show frantic texts from Magli to Horton following an Instagram post revealing her home address and email address by a now-deleted account meant to counter Voices of District 20. Supplementary police documentation and a written narrative from Remke describe an Oct. 11 confrontation between Metro Parks Police and volunteers gathering signatures for the recall petition. The volunteer effort lacked required permits and packed up after the confrontation. Remke remembers Horton’s vehicle “making repeated passes” by campaign tables.
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Another text exchange shows Horton’s incredulous response to a local business owner whose storefront was used by the recall campaign. The complaint alleges that his repeated requests to talk on the phone amount to harassment.
Metro lawyers disagree. Setting aside evidence, city attorneys compared the allegations to the city’s Standards of Conduct list, which spells out improper behavior for public officials. Over 15 pages, the report — signed by Metro Director of Law Wally Dietz and senior attorney Nicki Eke — absolves Horton of any ethical liability in all three cases, even citing Supreme Court precedent to demonstrate elected officials’ broad First Amendment protections.
"My focus remains on addressing the issues our community faces," Horton tells the Scene Monday.
"We will publish a response once a legal review of their commentary is completed," Remke tells the Scene by email.
