|
Tenn. Lawmakers Charged in Bribery Scam
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Four Tennessee lawmakers, a former lawmaker and two others were indicted Thursday amid a federal investigation into the business dealings of a state senator from Memphis from a powerful political family, officials said. Those charged included the senator, John Ford; fellow Sens. Kathryn Bowers and Ward Crutchfield; state Rep. Chris Newton; and former state Sen. Roscoe Dixon. Newton is a Republican and the others are Democrats. Federal authorities said during a news conference Thursday that the charges were extortion and accepting bribes following a two-year undercover operation dubbed "Tennessee Waltz." The grand jury returned the indictments in Memphis. Ford has been under investigation for his consulting deals with companies doing business with the state. His brother is former U.S. Rep Harold Ford Sr., who served in Congress for 11 terms. His nephew, Rep. Harold Ford Jr., has served five terms in Congress and on Wednesday entered the race for the Senate seat now held by Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist. snicker Newton said he was interviewed earlier this month by FBI agents and was asked about John Ford's dealings with contractors for TennCare, the state's expanded Medicaid program. He was also asked about legislation he had sponsored or co-sponsored with Ford, including one bill that would allow companies to buy and sell used electronic equipment from the state. Also charged were Barry Myers and Charles Love. Love is a registered lobbyist and member of the Hamilton County School Board. Myers couldn't immediately be identified. The arrests happened as the Tennessee General Assembly was trying to wrap up debate on the state budget and adjourn the session by Friday. Gov. Phil Bredesen and Senate leaders met shortly after news of the arrests, but said they didn't have any details. "It's a sad day for the state of Tennessee. It's a sad day for the Legislature," said Senate Speaker Pro Tem Micheal Williams. Posted by: Steve 2005-05-26 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=120102 |