Breaking news – legislators arrested
Post updated a lot. Scroll down for the latest.
Donald Sensing notes:
Local news radio stations are reporting that agents of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations, acting on federally-provided information, are arresting members of the Tennessee state legislature even as I write. The arrests are taking place at the state capitol itself. At least three legislators have been seen being led away in handcuffs. The arrests are reportedly being made on corruption charges.
Update: Campfield has more.
Update 2: WBIR listed the legislators:
Those arrested include: Sen. Ward Crutchfield, (D) Chattanooga; Sen. John Ford, (D) Memphis; Sen. Kathryn Bowers, (D) Memphis; Rep. Chris Newton, R Cleveland.
Update 3: JB has more.
Update 4: KNS blog scoops the KNS. Heh.
More: Mike is on it too
And Alphie is too.
The Tennessean has coverage.
As does Bill Hobbs.
More still: Frank in comments:
Former Memphis senator Roscoe Dixon, who now works for the mayor’s office in Shelby County was also arrested along with Barry Meyers and Charles Love. Love *is* a Hamilton County School Board member.
He also notes there are now seven arrested.
Even more: Mike says:
BRIBERY AND EXTORTION An “undercover comapany” allegedly made payments on the “resale of surplus computer equipment” bill mentioned below. Ford allegedly received $55,000! Cruthfield and Love allegedly received $12,000. Myers and Bowers allegedly received $11,500. Love(?) and Newton allegedly received $4000. Dixon and Myers allegedly received $9500. Ford charged with 3 counts of witness intimidation.
And
John Ford threatened, according to the indictment, to shoot and kill anyone who squealed!! Now, NOW, will someone take this guy’s raving lunacy seriously, instead of treating it indulgently?
Nice!
Major update: Alphie:
The FBI just held a press conference. It was a two-year sting operation that netted the four above as well as two others for ethical violations as they took money to help a phony FBI corporation do business in Tennessee. Naifeh and Herrenton have escaped. So much for rumors.
May 26th, 2005 at 11:18 am
Holy Cow.
May 26th, 2005 at 11:57 am
Man that must be a cool stat to live in…
Are you sure that it is a real state??? I always thought that a state where the legislative body was not above the law was one of those mythical lands you read to your kids as bedtime stories…
K
May 26th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
Damn. That’s good stuff.
How is John Ford related to Harold Ford?
-A
May 26th, 2005 at 2:05 pm
Were any of the ones arrested listed as being against HB 2225? This may throw that bill a gift if its opponents are taken down.
May 26th, 2005 at 2:13 pm
John is Harold’s uncle. No relation to me.
May 27th, 2005 at 10:21 am
My question is; “Will any of them (if convicted) serve prison time?”
It seems to me that government employees who break the law always seem to get “reprimanded” and suspended with pay.
May 27th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
When Congress regulates buying and selling, the first thing bought or sold…is the Congressmen.
May 27th, 2005 at 2:26 pm
Whata mess. After living out of state in the “great” state of California for over 20 years it amazes me how others just dont learn from the mistakes they make out here(everyone wants to be like California). Remember when you were taught to just do the right thing?? Tennessee has its share of crooks, rogues, and thieves also I see. Its damn embarrassing to be from there right now. Hopefully the people of Tennessee will fry their asses. Glad someone has taken action.
May 27th, 2005 at 2:30 pm
NOW….whats amusing is the reactions from the other legislators. Have you noticed how they all are …”shocked” “sad” “scared””??? Wonder why??
May 27th, 2005 at 2:35 pm
I’m certain if the FBI caught this, there’s plenty more going on that’s not getting caught.
May 27th, 2005 at 2:54 pm
You’re right uncle, thats why they are all freaking out and cant wait to get out for Memorial Day……check the local airports to the Caymen’s Ha!! But the funny thing is THEY think they are smarter than the “other” guy. We’ll see also how long it takes the race card to show up etc….do any of them know Micheal Jackson or Scott Peterson??
May 27th, 2005 at 4:46 pm
I hope they get more than a slap on the wrist and a “fine”. Everyone knows that there are a lot of “career” polititions out there throughout the US. Go FBI !!! Don’t stop here; it’s time to get back to running the country, state by state, without the greasing palms of good ‘ol boys (and they aren’t just in the South, it’s not by the colour of their skin, nor Democratic or Republican). I get so sick and tired of my tax dollars paying greedy, status seeking people who run for offices. Now, don’t get me wrong; there are a lot of folks in office who have the best at heart. They are the ones who have a hard time getting anything through because there are so many lobbiests, people with their own agenda and payolas going on.
This is just the tip of the iceberg and it’s not just Tennessee!!! Like I said, “Go FBI !!!”
Bonnie