Henry County School Board Candidate Accused Of Threatening Opponent

CBS Atlanta:

CBS Atlanta has obtained tapes of two candidates for Henry County School Board. On the tapes, 21-year-old Ryan Davis told his opponent, Rodney Christopher, to back out.

"He said he was giving me until Monday to release my name at the registrars office from the ballot," said Christopher.

When Davis called on Monday to see if Christopher had dropped out of the race, Christopher said he asked two other people to listen and record the call.

That recording includes Davis telling Christopher that if he didn't drop out, information about child abuse charges would be made public.

"I find it hard for someone with child abuse charges to run for school board," said Davis on the tape.

But Christopher was never charged with child abuse. A letter from Henry County police shows a judge refused to charge Christopher with child abuse for lack of probable cause. The allegations stem from an incident in which Christopher said he disciplined his son and voluntarily went to police to avoid any accusations.

"I have an ex-wife that loves to start drama," said Christopher. "So I didn't want anything fabricated."

During the call, when Christopher confronted Davis about the lack of charges Davis responded, "I think you'll be explaining it for the next 28 days."

CBS Atlanta contacted Davis by phone, and he said the calls weren't threats. He said he was giving Christopher a chance to "save his dignity."

Henry County police have copies of the tapes and are investigating.

On Tuesday, CBS Atlanta asked Davis's father, State Representative Steve Davis, tough questions about his involvement in the campaign. Christopher said he participated in a debate that Ryan Davis could not attend, so Steve Davis spoke in his place.

The debate's organizer, Sahar Hekmati, said she told Ryan Davis his father could come hand out flyers, but would not be allowed to answer questions. She said he was shocked when he joined the other candidates on stage and participated.

After CBS Atlanta contacted Steve Davis, Hekmati said she spoke to him and he asked her not to speak to the media and not to release a videotape of the debate.

CBS Atlanta asked Steve Davis why he told her not to speak to us.

"It just continuing a saga that is making this in to some kind of controversy. There's no controversy here." Davis said.