Article originally posted from The Gallatin News on June 11, 2024
Nashville Attorney Kirk L. Clements has issued a “Cease and Desist Order” to former Gallatin City Councilwoman Eileen George. The order, a copy of which was sent to The Gallatin News on Monday night, reads in part:
“My office has been retained to represent Councilman Pascal Jouvence and his wife, Michelle Jouvence, regarding your defamatory statements in which you describe them as bullies and criminals. Such allegations and implications are false and/or portray the Jouvences in a false light. I am writing to demand that you immediately cease such defamatory statements and that you issue a public retraction on multiple platforms to clarify the public record.”
When contacted for a statement, George said she had not received the order and knew nothing about it.
Denials from Jouvence have peppered the news and social media since the public resignation of George at the June 4 City Council meeting.
In her resignation, George stated, “Councilman Jouvence, his wife, and his supporters have harassed, bullied, and abused me with nasty commentary. This has occurred through social media posts, text messages, voicemails, and even physical confrontations.”
Jouvence has emphatically denied the charges of bullying.
“All the allegations by Eileen George of harassment, bullying, abuse, nasty commentary, and physical confrontation are false,” Jouvence told the Gallatin News Monday. “I have done none of these things. Unfortunately, in our current state of the union, some think they can just accuse people with no proof, using malicious and untrue stories, and face no accountability. These accusers should not be allowed to do these things without repercussion.
“I take these accusations seriously and I am looking at pursuing legal action against Eileen George and everyone involved in these lies. This is one more attempt at a political hit job to try to silence the voice of the people, just like when they tried to de-annex my property. I can assure you that I will continue to work hard to represent my constituents who elected me.”
No proof of bullying found
George told the Gallatin News that she had experienced “overwhelming negativity” ever since Jouvence was elected to the City Council in 2022. Much of the alleged harassment has come from people George describes as supporters of Jouvence. She was unable to produce any text messages or voice mails from either Pascal or Michelle Jouvence personally.
In the meantime, Jouvence said he has never phoned or texted George and has made public the eight emails and six social media posts he has directed at George the past 40 months at www.pascalforgallatin.com/thetruthroom.
The final straw for George was the ethics complaint issued by Karen L. Bookout, which accused George of violating the Gallatin City Code of Ethics and demanded that she recuse herself from voting on the development known as the Banks of Lock 4. The council voted to dismiss the complaint.
On June 2, Jouvence posted on his “Pascal for Gallatin” Facebook page that he intended to pursue an investigation of the ethics complaint despite the City Council’s dismissal. In the post, Jouvence wrote, “After researching the issue, there is no ambiguity in my mind that Ms. George deliberately broke the City Ethics rules, in particular Sec 2-6 – Use of information – and that her intent was to help her realtor associates get some future financial gain…I am planning on renewing the motion at the next City Council, asking for a thorough investigation to be conducted on this matter.”
At the June 4 city council meeting, Jouvence moved to open an investigation into George regarding the ethics complaint—a motion which died for lack of a second.
Shortly thereafter, George read her statement of resignation from the City Council.
Mayor Paige Brown told the Gallatin News it was suggested that Eileen George’s daughter, Jennifer George might take her mother’s place until the election, but that she was uninterested.
In the Cease and Desist Order, Clements says that if a public apology is not issued by George, further legal action might be taken against her.
He writes, “In Tennessee, to establish a case for defamation a party “must prove that (1) a party published a statement; (2) with knowledge that the statement was false and defaming to the other; or (3) with reckless disregard for the truth of the statement . . ..” Hibdon v. Grabowski, 195 S.W.3d 48, 58 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2005).”
“Your allegations, insinuations, and implications that Councilman Jouvence or Mrs. Jouvence are, or even may be guilty of, bullying or of the crimes of harassment and abuse must cease. You have maliciously and recklessly made these statements with no proof whatsoever. We are looking forward to you clarifying the public record with a retraction. If you refuse to cooperate in this matter, my clients are prepared to engage in any legal action necessary to clear their name.”
