Though the FBI has not confirmed why it is investigating a number of Tennessee lawmakers, several reports claim the probe is linked to possibly misuse of campaign funds that led to the election of a newly elected state representative.
Agents scoured the Cordell Hull State Office Building on Friday to search the offices of former House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, who resigned in 2019, Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, and Rep. Kent Calfee, R-Kingston, two people familiar with the investigation told the Tennessean last week.
According to Nashville NewsChannel 5, Casada may be tied to an unknown campaign group called Faith Family Freedom Fund, which had not raised or spent money as of last summer. The group issued attack ads aimed at Rep. Rick Tillis of Lewisburg. The postal mailers sent out by the fund were the same as Tillis’ competitor and the eventual victor over him, Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill.
“A lot of unaccounted-for money flowed into that race,” said Erik Schelzig, editor of the Tennessee Journal, a well-respected political newsletter. “Nobody really knows where it came from and who was spending it.”
Schelzig conducted a deep dive into the finances behind the campaign to oust Tillis, whom Casada had targeted for defeat.
Casada backed Warner “who had spent upward of $120,000 of his own money, which came to the surprise of a lot of folks down there because he had just declared for federal bankruptcy a few years back because he was unable to pay $20 million in debts,” Schelzig said.
According to the news station’s sources, the federal agents searched the homes of Casada, Warner and Smith on Friday morning.
House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, said at a news conference Friday that he placed three staff members on paid administrative leave in connection with the case. According to legislative administrative director Connie Ridley, Sexton’s chief of staff Holt Whitt was among those placed on leave. Whitt had worked for Casada when he was house speaker.
“This has been a trying week for our country, and this will be a difficult time for our state as well as we go down this road,” Sexton said during a morning news conference addressing the raids.
“Personally, these are our friends and colleagues of ours that we’ve worked with for many years. It’s important to remember that this is just the start of the investigation and the process, and not the end. Today does not necessarily imply guilt.”
Warner released a statement to NewsChannel 5 on Tuesday regarding the allegations against his campaign.
“Federal agents descended on Rep. Warner’s home and business in Marshall County with search warrants, the contents of which remain shrouded in mystery by the government. Significantly, Rep. Warner has not been charged with any wrongdoing,” the statement read. “Rep. Warner can assure the citizens of his district that he has violated no laws and welcomes any investigation.”
Warner was set to be sworn into office Tuesday.
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