MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - People can make a mistake, maybe even two or three. Memphis City Council member Janis Fullilove has made a bundle of mistakes. In 1994 she was charged with a DUI. Her license was suspended for two years. In March of 2008, she was charged with a DUI in DeSoto County and fined $700. Her license was suspended until 2011.
The year 2008 wasn’t a good year for Janis Fullilove. Shortly after her arrest in March of that year, she tried to illegally obtain a Tennessee driver's license. She told authorities she had lost her license when, in fact, it had been taken by DeSoto County officials. Two months later she got into an accident in Tunica and was charged with driving on a suspended license. In October of the same year, she got another DUI.
Fullilove checked into a rehab clinic in 2008. In March of 2009, while delivering Meals on Wheels, she was spotted driving her vehicle. Her license had been revoked. There have been several reports of domestic violence between her and husband Vernon Chalmers over the years, the most recent obviously being early Tuesday morning, when police arrested both Fullilove and Chalmers.
According to an affidavit by Chalmers, he returned home late. He claims Fullilove had been drinking, and accused him of having an affair. She began throwing dishes, and a piece of one dish cut Chalmers. He pushed her to the floor and held her there until police arrived. According to the affidavit, as police took her to a squad car, she passed out.
There is nothing the Memphis City Council can do but censure Fullilove. It is nothing but a public reprimand. They can’t remove her from office.
