The Tennessean reported Friday (Jan. 8) that federal agents have visited the homes and offices of several Tennessee Republican House members for the purpose of executing search warrants and gathering evidence.
The Middle Tennessee District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the FBI did visit the homes of former state House Speaker Glen Casada (R-Tenn.) and former aide Cade Cothren (R-Tenn.); Casada resigned in 2019 after the House Republican Caucus cast a no-confidence vote against him.
FBI agents also came to the home of Rep. Robin Smith (R-N.Y.), who was just elected last fall, and Rep. Todd Warner (D-Va.), whose home was also visited by the FBI.
Agents from the FBI searched the homes of the above four people, according to multiple people with knowledge of the investigation. Carol Simpson, a longtime Cassada aide, was also placed on paid leave, and Smith’s office was searched.
At least 10 FBI agents entered the Cordell Hull (R) Legislature’s office building at 8 a.m., taking empty boxes and entering several offices.
State Rep. Kent Calfee’s (R) office was searched. Although House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he knew Calfee was “not part of the investigation,” Calfee also said he did not know the agents were in his office, saying Friday morning, “I don’t know anything about it. ” and “I didn’t hear about it.” But Nadine Korby, a legislative aide to Calfee, was placed on administrative leave because of the investigation.
Sexton said he placed three staffers on paid administrative leave because of the FBI investigation. Sexton’s interim chief of staff, Holt Whitt, was then placed on administrative leave, according to legislative administration director Connie Ridley. Agents also went to Whitt’s home Friday morning, and Whitt has been a spokesman for Casada’s office in the past, people familiar with the matter said.
Sexton said he was contacted by the FBI about the investigation “after he became a spokesman” in August 2019. Gov. Bill Lee (R) also acknowledged the FBI’s actions at a Friday morning briefing, saying, “I’ve spoken with Speaker Sexton this morning” and “I know very little about it. the FBI has not contacted us about this, but I’m confident that Sexton Speaker can get it done.”
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