NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
A vote that doesn't carry any legal power is nonetheless sending a strong message from Metro Council to Davidson County Clerk John Arriola.
The council passed a resolution calling on Arriola to resign, and the discussion about the matter got a big heated Tuesday night.
"That doesn't mean that he didn't do and perform just as bad as before. And we, let me finish, we are the voice of the people and people are getting upset about this," Councilman Robert Duvall said.
A recent audit showed that Arriola pocketed nearly $120,000 for weddings he performed as county clerk.
State law allows clerks to accept gratuities, but couples married by Arriola say it was presented as a mandatory fee.
The council passed a resolution that both calls for Arriola to resign and a resolution calling for him to refund that money.
Arriola didn't speak at the meeting, but his attorney did, insisting that Arriola hasn't committed any crimes.
The district attorney is still reviewing the case, so it has not been determined if any laws were broken.
Both of the measures approved by the council are just memorializing resolutions. Because Arriola was elected, the council does not have the power to force him out.
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