MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Shelby County Administrator Richard Holden is lashing out after the public revelation Shelby County Election Commissioners suspended him late last month.
"I think it is purely political," Holden said.
The Election Commissioners actually voted to suspend Holden for 3 days without pay late last month. Holden will serve the suspension next month.
"We view the suspension as an internal disciplinary matter," Robert Meyers, the Election Chairman, said in a statement.
"The Commission took the action that we thought was appropriate, but it's not our intention to embarrass or humiliate Mr. Holden," Meyers wrote.
"It is coming out now because it is politically advantageous timing for those playing politics with it," Holden said.
The suspension comes after a messy August primary where thousands of voters reportedly received the wrong ballots.
Holden says election work was delayed while officials waited for Shelby County Commissioners to approve a redistricting plan.
"It is silly to think an election with over a half million voters hinges on a single person's single action," said Holden.
Holden also faces six months of probation; he says he's just a scapegoat.
"Nobody said it would be easy, it is not an easy job, it is an important job, and I may change a lot of things, but I'm not going to change my values," he said.
