Women's groups oppose Puryear nomination

NASHVILLE, March 26 (UPI) -- A group of women's organizations are opposing the U.S. judicial nomination of Gus Puryear IV to the Middle District of Tennessee.

Puryear, general counsel for the Corrections Corporation of America, is drawing criticism for belonging to Nashville's Belle Meade County golf club, where the groups say women are unable to vote or hold office, the Nashville Tennessean reported.

Among groups that have sent letters to the Senate Judiciary Committee opposing Puryear's nomination are the National Organization of Women, the National Council for Women's Organizations and the Women's Equal rights Legal Defense and Education Fund, the newspaper said.

Puryear's nomination to the federal court for the Middle District of Tennessee has also drawn criticism for his work for the for-profit prison company and allegations that he encouraged the company to soften incident reports.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held Puryear's nominating hearings in February, but has not voted on his nomination.