Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Rumor keeps Waltz alive
AP ^ | 9/6/5 | MATT GOURAS

Posted on 09/06/2005 1:00:55 PM PDT by SmithL

NASHVILLE - All lawmakers can do is watch and wait as a federal probe into bribery and corruption at the state Capitol continues to sink colleagues.

Legislators said they have heard the rumors that more arrests are on the way, but don't know if it will include local officials like the one nabbed last week or more state lawmakers.

Like in May, when four sitting lawmakers were arrested on their way to work, they expect to be the last to know.

"I believe the Department of Justice and the FBI know a lot more about these investigations than I do," said House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh.

Just last week, pressure mounted in the Legislature to react when former state Rep. Chris Newton pleaded guilty and resigned. At the same time, it became very clear the Tennessee Waltz sting is not over.

Another indictment was handed up last week, this time against a local Shelby County official, as the grand jury sent notice its work isn't finished.

It's unknown if other lawmakers will be arrested - and federal authorities are predictably quiet about their ongoing investigation - or if Newton is now feeding them information.

"I just hear there are other indictments coming down," said House Republican caucus chairman Charles Sargent of Franklin. "No one has said if it's just going to be county commissioners or local school board members or legislators.

"I don't think any of us truly knows except for the grand jury and the FBI."

The lawmakers have proven ready to address arrested colleagues once they resign - as in the case of Newton and former state Sen. John Ford, who is pleading innocent.

But lawmakers are by and large taking it easy on the two who are staying in office and fighting the charges, Sens. Ward Crutchfield and Kathryn Bowers.

Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, said they should only resign "if they know in their heart of hearts" they are guilty.

"I believe them innocent until proven guilty," said Sen. Tommy Kilby, D-Wartburg.

Legislators, defending themselves against charges from Newton that what he did is "business as usual" in Nashville, were angry and indignant at comments likely to worsen their public image.

"I have never heard of a bribe being offered in my 18 years (in the Legislature)," said Jackson.

Lawmakers are trying their best at damage control, though, and are rushing work by a special panel to draft tougher ethics laws for the state. But leaders say new guilty pleas or arrests won't force them to rush their work, or change their plans.

Naifeh said he would continue "waiting and listening" as the Tennessee Waltz case unfolds rather than talk about it.

Gov. Phil Bredesen, who has his own panel drafting ideas for new laws in anticipation of a special session late this year or early next year, said officials already have more than enough reason to act.

"The arrests in the spring are plenty enough to focus on this," he said.

Bredesen said he thinks it's best for his independent panel to finish its work first, especially since it is removed from the legislative environment.

"Let's do this in an orderly fashion. Let's get their (independent ethics panel) report first. Let's get some meaningful legislation. Then let's call a special session."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: corruptdems; corruptpoliticians; tennesseewaltz; whosnext
Newton is the Republican that was arrested.
1 posted on 09/06/2005 1:00:56 PM PDT by SmithL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: GailA

Tennessee Waltz Ping


2 posted on 09/06/2005 1:01:35 PM PDT by SmithL (There are a lot of people that hate Bush more than they hate terrorists)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

Send some Feds to Baton Rouge and start probing corruption there.


3 posted on 09/06/2005 1:04:22 PM PDT by uncitizen
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

"I have never heard of a bribe being offered in my 18 years (in the Legislature)," said Jackson.

Please. LOL.


4 posted on 09/06/2005 1:37:56 PM PDT by cpanter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

Thanks for the post. Frankly, knowing how things work in this state, I get a little bit of sick 'glee' out of thinking about these guys twisting in the wind, wondering if they are next on the hit parade. I wonder how far up it is going to go the food chain?...


5 posted on 09/06/2005 1:50:03 PM PDT by Amalie (FREEDOM had NEVER been another word for nothing left to lose...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Amalie

...and Lord, may they all be Democraps.


6 posted on 09/06/2005 2:18:18 PM PDT by dynachrome ("Where am I? Where am I going? Why am I in a handbasket?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

HE, he hope they get king willie.


7 posted on 09/06/2005 2:36:48 PM PDT by GailA (Glory be to GOD and his only son Jesus.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: cpanter

Notice there's no mention of gifts...boons, favors, largess,alms,contributions, donations; awards, grants.


8 posted on 09/06/2005 3:32:36 PM PDT by Valin (The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

"I have never heard of a bribe being offered in my 18 years (in the Legislature)," said Jackson.

Bet he's heard of a few that were accepted.

Come on, 18 years, I'll bet if you could pull up
18 years worth of Tennessee papers you'd drown in
reports of bribes.


9 posted on 09/06/2005 4:21:50 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson