TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jan 8, 2021

Federal agents descended on multiple Tennessee Republican House members' homes and state offices this morning, executing search warrants and collecting evidence. The Tennessean reports that at least 10 FBI agents entered the Cordell Hull legislative office building just before 8 a.m. CST, fanning out to multiple offices carrying empty boxes with them. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee confirmed that agents also visited the homes of former House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin; Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson; Rep. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill; and former Casada aide Cade Cothren. Agents also searched the office of Rep. Kent Calfee, R-Kingston, though House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he understood that Calfee "is not part of the investigation." In addition, key staff for these members have been placed on administrative leave in connection with the case. They are: Calfee's legislative assistant Nadine Korby, Casada's longtime assistant Carol Simpson, and Sexton’s interim chief of staff Holt Whitt and two other staff members from his office. Agents reportedly also visited Whitt’s home.