Members of the Alpharetta Board of Ethics set a hearing date next month to consider a complaint against the vice chairman of the Cultural Arts Commission.
During a Tuesday meeting to review the complaint, the five-member panel weighed whether the alleged actions of Gene Andrews rose to a level of seriousness. In a 3-2 vote, they decided a complaint by artist Jennifer Sutton is justified and not “frivolous.”
In documents submitted to Alpharetta, artist Jennifer Sutton states that Andrews used his position as vice chairman of the arts commission to intimidate and threaten her business.
Andrews has denied wrongdoing.
Sutton and Andrews did not attend the meeting.
The hearing in which they are expected to appear is scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 13.
Their original business and disagreement was not a city matter and related to contractual terms for Sutton transporting artwork belonging to Andrews’ client to New York City earlier in the summer. Text messages detailing a disagreement between Sutton and Andrews appear to show the commission member referring to his Alpharetta position.
In response to the complaint, Andrews has said that he was referring to his knowledge of art and the law.
The Cultural Arts Commission advises Alpharetta on purchasing works of art, as well as enrichment programs and performances to implement. The commission meets about once per month and members are each paid a monthly amount of $50 to serve, according to the city.
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