Four Tennessee
lawmakers have been arrested by federal agents. No word yet on why they were arrested or what the charges are.
Those taken into custody are:
- Sen. Ward Crutchfield, D-Chattanooga
- Sen. John Ford, D-Memphis
- Sen. Kathryn Bowers, D-Memphis
- Rep. Chris Newton, R-Cleveland.
A press conference is due to be held by the Attorney General at 11 a.m. that will outline the charges. Hallorin Hilton Hill is reporting that they were arrested on sealed indictments handed down by a judge in Memphis and there could be more arrests to come.
Not really a huge shock that Ford was taken into custody. I wonder if this arrest has to do with all his travel and parties at the tax-payer's expense that have dominated the news the past few weeks.
No Silence Here has a lot of links out to the breaking story.
FURTHER UPDATE: The
Nashville City Paper has some details on charges.
The four were arrested under the federal Hobbs Act, which covers extortion by the wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear.
The arrests apparently involve a bill sponsored in the House by Newton and in the Senate by Crutchfield and Ford that involved the sale of surplus computers and electronic equipment.
News Channel Three in Memphis is reporting three more arrests.
- Roscoe Dixon (a former state senator)
- Barry Myer (an associate of Dixon's)
- Charles Love.
There are also rumors the mayor of Memphis may be implicated in all of this as well. There are also reports that another person is being pursued for arrest.
posted by Michael Hickerson at 5/26/2005 10:03:00 AM |
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