NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton has been subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury as part of an ongoing FBI investigation into Capitol Hill corruption.
Legislative sources had suggested they believed that as many as 10-12 other House Republicans were also served Tuesday with grand jury subpoenas, although NewsChannel 5 Investigates has not been able to confirm that number.
Connie Ridley, director of legislative administration, confirmed Wednesday that she received a subpoena to testify, as did Rep. Bud Hulsey, R-Kingsport. Hulsey said he had not been able to determine why federal prosecutors might be interested in his testimony.
“We have been fully cooperating with the federal authorities since I became speaker in 2019," Sexton said in a statement, confirming his own grand jury subpoena.
"It is not unexpected that I and other members would be called to appear before a grand jury to provide factual statements as part of this ongoing investigation.”
A spokesperson for Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee told NewsChannel 5 Investigates that "no one from the governor's office has been subpoenaed."
This dramatic development follows the recent guilty plea of now-former Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, to federal wire fraud charges relating to a shadowy company that provided mailing services to Republican lawmakers, using both campaign money and taxpayer funding.
As part of her plea, Smith admitted that she and former House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, received kickbacks from that company, Phoenix Solutions, in exchange for using their positions to steer business to that company.
Phoenix Solutions, according to federal prosecutors, was really controlled by former Casada aide Cade Cothren.
Smith's plea bargain required her to assist the FBI as it continues its investigation.
Sources had told NewsChannel 5 that it was expected that individuals who had contact with Smith and/or Casada regarding Phoenix Solutions would be subpoenaed.
Last year, NewsChannel 5 Investigates revealed that Smith had steered $28,000 in taxpayer business to Phoenix Solutions through the Office of Legislative Administration, which would explain why prosecutors would want to that office's director, Connie Ridley, to testify.
Hulsey told NewsChannel 5 Investigates that he never did business with Phoenix Solutions, although he did do business with another company controlled by Casada, Right Way Consulting.
Among those who denied Wednesday receiving subpoenas were Reps. Jeremy Faison, Johnny Garrett, Mark Hall, Dan Howell and William Lamberth.
Hulsey told NewsChannel 5 Investigates that he never did business with Phoenix Solutions, although he did do business with another company controlled by Casada, Right Way Consulting.
NewsChannel 5 has not been able to independently confirm the names of other lawmakers.
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