TN (State) Legislator (Ronnie) Davis indicted on federal chages (15)(selling diplomatic passports)

The Tennessean ^ | 8/30/02 | Scheri Smith

[GailA]

State Rep. Ronnie Davis was indicted today on 15 felony counts in federal court, including allegations that he and a Murfreesboro woman tried to sell fake diplomatic passports to two Texas men and tried to defraud First Tennessee Bank.

Davis, a Republican from Newport in East Tennessee, is charged along with Diana D. Burton of Murfreesboro, federal prosecutors said in a statement this morning.

[Lion's Cub]

GailA-

Thanks for your #37.

Federal officials say the passport scheme is not related to terrorist activity.

I'm getting tired of this disclaimer, though a diplomatic passport could be as useful for smuggling drugs or money as for smuggling terrorist supplies...

I'd like to know more about the Texans...

[cva66snipe]

string him up

Or just let a rumor leak out back home he's an ATF or on the state DTF then pick his jury from Cosby & Newport :>}

Kidding aside if convicted he needs to be made an example. He's just one more in a never ending line of Tennessee politicans selling government services. About 1978 we had a governor selling pardons, clemency for cash, liquor license, you name it. He's just another one that got caught.

[Waco]

He's "at least" as honest and trustworthy as X42 and her spouse! There, with a defense like that he's sure to get off.

[putupon]

that he and a Murfreesboro woman tried to sell fake diplomatic passports to two Texas men and tried to defraud First Tennessee Bank

at least he kept his corruption limited to other Americans, unlike the crew that sold missiles & leased the Lincoln Bedroom to the Chicoms.

[JDGreen123]

I have been away for one week. This case was mentioned on Teddy Bart's Roundtable today. Tom Humphreys from the Knoxville News Sentinel said that this might be just the start of something big like the "Rocky Top" scandal in Tennessee in the late 80's. Humphreys pointed out that the list of indictments were written in such a way so that Davis could receive reduced sentencing if he tells on others in the ring.

Humphreys indicated that he had heard rumors of who the big fish is that the Feds want to net but was uncomfortable naming the person. Since Al Gore was one of the people that Davis contacted, I wonder if he might be the big fish. Don Sundquist? A good point was made as to why would 2 people from Texas select a Tennessee Legislator to obtain such phony documents. Did he owe them? Was this blackmail? Did Davis stand to profit from this deal? How did Davis come to know these Texans? Lots of stuff to be answered.