OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) – Just days after losing the Opelika mayor's race, former candidate Herman Grady Barnes III has been arrested. He tells WRBL he did nothing wrong.
Barnes, 61, was booked into the Lee County Detention Facility on Thursday, August 28, on a charge of second-degree perjury. Jail records show he was released after posting a $1,000 bond.
According to officials, the charge stems from allegations Barnes may have been untruthful on his campaign application forms. Under Alabama law, second-degree perjury is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. We are working to gather additional detail details.
Barnes responded to the charge in a statement to WRBL, saying: "The allegations are a mistake on their part and they have created damages. This is a misdemeanor. This is what you get for being outspoken about the corruption in Opelika. I have done nothing wrong."
In Tuesday's election, Eddie Smith was elected mayor with 4,149 votes (56%), defeating Raven Harvis with 3,156 votes (43%) and Herman G. Barnes III with 115 votes (2%). Out of more than 26,000 registered voters, only about 7,400 cast ballots — just 27 percent turnout. City officials are scheduled to canvass the results and certify them on Monday, September 2, at noon.
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