Posted on 10/27/2005 9:42:36 PM PDT by SmithL
NASHVILLE - Appearing before the House Ethics Committee, Rep. Lois DeBerry said Thursday she was "truly sorry" for taking cash from an FBI undercover operative and that she has returned $400 to the federal government.
The committee then deadlocked along partisan lines over whether to drop an ethics complaint against the Memphis Democrat, who as House speaker pro tempore ranks second in the House leadership hierarchy.
House Republican Leader Bill Dunn of Knoxville afterward declared he was "shocked and sickened" by Democrat-inspired inaction at a time when "there is a dark cloud over" the Legislature because of bribery arrests and ethics complaints.
"Thunder and lightning are going to come - tornadoes, too - if we don't take some action," said Dunn.
House Majority Leader Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, said Dunn and other Republicans were trying to transform the committee proceedings into a "partisan battle" and "belittle, humiliate and embarrass" Rep. DeBerry for partisan gain after her "contrite apology."
She said Dunn had chosen to engage in "name-calling ... which apparently he must believe is the way to handle this matter as opposed to being a grown-up and dealing with the real issues we have here."
Other Democrats and Republicans engaged in similar rhetoric. Dunn said he will seek another meeting and ask for an "independent investigation" of DeBerry by the state attorney general's office. McMillan, who chairs the panel, said she has no plans to call for another gathering but would consider a request.
DeBerry did not answer questions, but read a written statement. She was accused by a Republican colleague of violating House ethics rules by accepting gifts from a man who turned out to be an undercover FBI agent. She has said previously that the man gave her $200 that she spent playing slot machines at a Mississippi gambling casino and a $200 gift certificate to a health spa.
"I am before this committee today because of a lapse in judgment, not because of bad intentions," DeBerry said. "I am humbled and embarrassed for the problems my choices have caused this institution. And for that, I am truly sorry."
DeBerry said she had written a $400 check to the federal Bureau of Public Debt and attended "remediation" sessions at the state Attorney General's office and with Registry of Election Finance officials to learn about "appropriate and inappropriate ethical and legal conduct" by legislators.
After her statement, Rep. Mark Maddox, D-Dresden, made a motion to, in effect, dismiss the charges. All five Democrats present voted for the motion; all four Republicans present voted against. Under committee rules, however, seven votes were required for the motion to prevail, so the motion failed.
There was then a motion to adjourn. Again, all Democrats present voted for adjournment; all Republicans present voted against. On an adjournment motion, only a simple majority was needed, and the meeting was adjourned.
The committee has six Republican and six Democratic members. Democrat DeBerry had recused herself, and two Republicans, Reps. Doug Overbey of Maryville and Steve McDaniel of Parkers Crossroads, were absent.
Sorry that she got caught.
She took $$ from an undercover FBI agent? When's the trial? Why is she still in office? Is someone with a felony record allowed to run for/hold public office in Tn??? Does/will Libby and Rove receive the genteel consideration?
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050729/OPINION01/507290381/1008
What I don't understand is:
Why did the FBI think she was approachable ?
This story started with the Nashville FBI's sting ops on politicians they heard were easy touches. Their extremely small ($200) "gift" to a politician from an agent pretending to be a lobbyist for no specific purpose other than the occasion of her birthday is really weak, especially when that money was given her, unsolicited, after she mentioned she was visiting legal casinos to celebrate. While I don't like Democrats as a rule I don't approve of Federal resources "cheesing" in this manner to create a case that most juries would throw out.
Shortly after this Knoxville Representative James Campfield asked the leader of Tennessee's Black Caucus application for membership in that body. Rep. Harold Shaw, leader of that caucus, denied that on the basis that Campfield was Caucasion. Campfield replied that much of his constituency was made up of traditional minorities so should be allowed in to better represent their interests. He was denied again on the basis of his race and his accusations that his being initially denied was more unfair than those of the Ku Klux Klan, who he pointed out, did not actually exclude members on the basis of race.
The proverbial hornet's nest was thus stirred up.
The Tennessee press found that the Black Caucus, who had both Shaw and DeBerry as principal members, practiced shoddy record-keeping while enjoying large contributions from major business and special interest sources while claiming that they "thought" they weren't subject to the discosure laws almost all other polital entities are subject to post-Blanton (our great corrupt Governor of yore).
The investigation continues while powerful Democrats are in full siege-defense mode.
NOW laugh at me when I say, once again, that Campfield was onto something. Corruption has but one color and it is always green.
She's the number 2 in the House, she's a minority, she's a RAT you don't expect them to go after her for a paltry $200 bucks do you?
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.