Officials Quiet on Latest Allegations Against Green

Members of both sides of Metro Government say the Ethics Commission must complete its review of Metro Councilwoman Judy Green before any further action is considered.The commission will hold a hearing this month on a complaint regarding Green's relationship to a summer jobs program that may have benefited her family. On Wednesday, LEO Weekly revealed a number of other allegations leveled against Green, including identity theft and accepting bribes."We saw a story about old allegations from political opponents or disgruntled employees," says Green's attorney Kent Wicker. "These allegations have been investigated by the police public integrity unit and found to be without merit. Dr. Green looks forward to her chance to answer the ethics charges in the upcoming hearing."A spokesperson for the mayor's office has declined to comment while the proceedings are underway, and Metro Councilman Ken Fleming says it's too early to make any judgments."We've got a process set up to handle any type of ethics issues and so forth. I know there's been a complaint that's been filed. We need to let things take their course. After it takes its course, we need to assess the situation and see what we need to do at that point," he says.The Ethics Commission hearing is on the 17th of this month. Green's former political opponent and the man who filed the ethics complaint, Ray Barker, says the LEO article shows a pattern of unethical behavior. But, if the Ethics Commission clears the Councilwoman, Barker says he'll relent."If this doesn't go through, if doesn't have enough legs to stand on its own and the Ethics [Commission] decides that the information I provided, which is public knowledge, is not enough. Then I'll let it be. I will respect the findings of the Ethics [Commission]," he says.Green's office has declined to comment.