Political Extortion: State Takeover Justified? JB Smiley Accused of Retaliation and Influence Peddling Amid Superintendent Firing and More for Memphis Scandal

By: Public Affairs Investigative Staff on February 5, 2025

MEMPHIS, TN – A City in Crisis

The veil of secrecy surrounding Memphis’ political elite continues to unravel, revealing a disturbing pattern of corruption, backroom deals, and retaliatory politics. At the center of the latest scandal stands Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley Jr., accused in a lawsuit of using his political influence to intimidate and oust former Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins after she dared to stand up against powerful financial backers.

The lawsuit, filed by Dr. Feagins against the Memphis-Shelby County School Board, not only alleges violations of the Open Meetings Act and illegal, undisclosed meetings to orchestrate her firing, but also exposes the dangerous grip of financial donors on city officials—a pattern eerily similar to the More for Memphis corruption scandal that has embroiled Smiley and other elected officials.

Retaliation, Threats, and Political Strong-Arming

The most shocking revelation in Dr. Feagins’ lawsuit is the claim that JB Smiley directly threatened her over the phone, shouting expletives and warning her that she had angered the wrong people. According to the lawsuit, Smiley told Dr. Feagins:

“You don’t know these people… My funders are on me now telling me she has to go because they know I supported you… They are telling me to get rid of you.”

This statement, if true, would suggest that Smiley is beholden to political donors who wield influence over city policy and personnel decisions. Notably, this follows the More for Memphis scandal, where Smiley and other elected officials pushed an ordinance benefiting political donors who had financed their campaigns.

The lawsuit also alleges that Smiley later boasted to the owner of a local dance academy that:

“We are coming after [Feagins]… She will be gone… just watch.”

This raises serious concerns about political retribution, abuse of power, and an organized effort to control Memphis government institutions through financial influence.

Follow the Money: More for Memphis and Peer Power Ties

The More for Memphis scandal already implicated JB Smiley in a scheme to funnel millions of dollars to organizations with direct ties to his campaign donors. The same tactics appear to be at play in this lawsuit, as Dr. Feagins had previously filed an order of protection against Charles “Dow” McVean, a Peer Power board member with close ties to powerful political figures.

Peer Power has done millions of dollars in business with Memphis-Shelby County Schools over the past two decades. Dr. Feagins’ refusal to grant automatic contract renewals reportedly infuriated McVean, leading to a heated confrontation where he verbally harassed her using profanity and followed her in an intimidating manner.

Once Feagins took legal action against McVean, the full force of Memphis’ political machine was mobilized to destroy her.

Secret Meetings and Backroom Deals: The Push to Oust Feagins

Dr. Feagins’ lawsuit details a series of illegal, secret meetings where school board members allegedly plotted to terminate her behind closed doors, violating Tennessee’s Open Meetings Act.

This admission underscores the shroud of secrecy under which Feagins was removed—potentially orchestrated by influential city and county officials acting at the behest of private financial interests.

State Takeover: A Necessary Intervention?

The corruption allegations, combined with JB Smiley’s involvement in both the More for Memphis scandal and the superintendent firing, make it clear that Memphis’ political leadership can no longer be trusted to govern itself.

Even before Feagins’ firing, a $500M lawsuit sought state intervention to restore transparency and integrity to Memphis city governance. Given the new allegations—including political intimidation, abuse of power, and manipulation of city contracts—that request now seems even more urgent.

With growing calls for state and federal oversight, the time has come to strip Memphis’ corrupt leadership of their unchecked power and bring real accountability to city hall.

Laws Potentially Violated by JB Smiley and Other Memphis Officials If Allegations Are Proven True

If the allegations against JB Smiley and other Memphis officials are substantiated, they could face serious legal consequences under state and federal law. The claims made in Dr. Marie Feagins’ lawsuit, combined with the More for Memphis scandal, suggest a pattern of misconduct that could constitute criminal offenses and civil violations. Below are the potential laws violated:

1. Tennessee Open Meetings Act Violations (Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-44-101 et seq.)

• What It Prohibits:
• This law mandates that government meetings be conducted openly and with adequate public notice.
• It prohibits secret meetings where decisions affecting public policy or taxpayer funds are made behind closed doors.
• Potential Violations:
• If school board members secretly met to plot Dr. Feagins’ firing, this would be a direct violation of the act.
• If elected officials met privately with donors or lobbyists to discuss city contracts or ordinances, this could invalidate official actions taken as a result of those discussions.
• Penalties:
• Any decision made in an illegal meeting can be declared void.
• Officials who knowingly and willfully violate the Act can face civil penalties and be removed from office.

2. Official Misconduct (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-402)

• What It Prohibits:
• Public officials abusing their office for personal gain, political advantage, or to harm others.
• Knowingly committing an unauthorized act under the color of office.
• Potential Violations:
• Smiley’s alleged threats and coercion against Dr. Feagins could constitute official misconduct if he used his position to intimidate her on behalf of financial donors.
• More for Memphis-related actions—such as Smiley and other council members allegedly pushing an ordinance favoring donors who financed their campaigns—could qualify as misconduct if it served their private interests over the public good.
• Penalties:
• This is a Class E felony in Tennessee, punishable by up to six years in prison and fines.
• Elected officials convicted of official misconduct must forfeit their office.

3. Bribery and Influence Peddling (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-102 & 18 U.S.C. § 201)

• What It Prohibits:
• Receiving financial or political contributions in exchange for favorable government action.
• Allowing financial donors to dictate public policy, city contracts, or personnel decisions.
• Potential Violations:
• Smiley’s alleged statement that “My funders are on me now telling me she has to go” suggests he may have acted at the direction of private donors rather than in the public’s interest.
• The More for Memphis ordinance, which Smiley and other officials championed, was reportedly pushed forward to benefit organizations tied to their campaign donors. If this can be linked to quid pro quo contributions, it could be considered bribery.
• Penalties:
• Bribery is a felony under both state and federal law.
• Convictions can result in prison sentences of up to 15 years and permanent disqualification from public office.

4. Coercion of a Public Servant (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-407)

• What It Prohibits:
• Threatening or coercing a government official into taking or refraining from taking official action.
• Potential Violations:
• If Smiley’s alleged threats against Dr. Feagins were made to influence her decision regarding Peer Power’s contract, he could be guilty of coercion.
• His alleged statements to other city officials, urging them to “come after” Feagins, could also be considered coercion.
• Penalties:
• Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and fines.
• If financial gain is involved, the charge can escalate to a felony.

5. Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 371 & Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-12-103)

• What It Prohibits:
• Two or more people conspiring to defraud taxpayers, manipulate city contracts, or engage in unlawful activities.
• Potential Violations:
• If Smiley and other elected officials conspired to funnel city funds into organizations controlled by their donors, they could be guilty of fraud.
• If they coordinated efforts to remove Dr. Feagins as part of a larger effort to retain control over city funds and school contracts, this could constitute criminal conspiracy.
• Penalties:
• Federal penalties include up to five years in prison and steep fines.
• State penalties include civil liability and removal from office.

6. Retaliation Against a Public Official (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-510)

• What It Prohibits:
• Using threats, harassment, or coercion to punish a public official for performing their duties.
• Potential Violations:
• If Smiley threatened Feagins as retaliation for her actions regarding Peer Power’s contract, he could face criminal charges.
• If other city officials participated in her removal as a form of retaliation, they could also be implicated.
• Penalties:
• Misdemeanor offense, escalating to a felony if financial harm or job loss resulted.

Why a State Takeover May Be Necessary

Given the pattern of corruption, influence peddling, and financial misconduct in Memphis politics, state and federal intervention may be warranted. The $500M lawsuit filed before Feagins’ firing sought state oversight to restore integrity in local governance—a request that now seems more justified than ever.

The More for Memphis scandal, JB Smiley’s alleged threats, and the illegal backroom deals to oust Feagins point to systemic corruption that cannot be resolved internally. If state officials fail to act, Memphis risks further decay under leadership that appears beholden to special interests rather than the people they were elected to serve.

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