A man running for Tehachapi city council says someone is trying to ruin his reputation by using his name to send vulgar and racist emails.

Recently, someone used Shane Reed's name to send emails filled with racial slurs and vulgar language to city officials and at least one employee at the Tehachapi News.

"It's something I couldn't read out loud or I'd be arrested for public indecency," said Reed.

Tehachapi police are investigating the case and have reportedly tracked the emails back to a computer belonging to councilman Stan Beckham.

When asked about the case Beckham said only that "it's under investigation."

Police have not confirmed that Beckham is the suspect. But they did send out a notice saying the emails did not come from Reed.