NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - The Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate were back in session on Tuesday for the first time this year. It comes after federal agents raided the homes and offices of state representatives and their employees on Friday.
The House Republican Caucus met in the Cordell Hull Building before the general session. News 4 went there to follow up on the FBI raids that took place and question those involved.
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The FBI investigation is centered around former house speaker Glen Casada, State Representative Todd Warner, and State Representative Robin Smith. Three legislative employees, Holt Whitt, Nadine Korby, and Carol Simpson, were put on administrative leave.
"Just understand that I am fully cooperating," Rep. Robin Smith said after the caucus. "There is an investigation, and the statement is as it is. I am not the target of the investigation, but I certainly don't want to do anything to jeopardize that."
SERIES: House Speaker Glen Casada to step down amid weeks of controversy
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - TN House Speaker Glen Casada, who in recent weeks has been embroiled in controversy over racist and sexist text messages as well as additional allegations of misconduct is stepping down as House Speaker.
Follow updates and past coverage of this story in our Casada series:
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TN House Speaker Glen Casada, who in recent weeks has been embroiled in controversy over racist and sexist text messages as well as additional allegations of misconduct is stepping down as House Speaker.
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Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada fielded questions Friday about the allegations against him and the multiple calls for his resignation.
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Tennessee Democrats are calling for a federal investigation after hearing that House Speaker Glen Casada’s staff may have been listening to and watching meetings they thought were private.
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News 4 asked Smith if she's done anything criminal to warrant the investigation.
"Again, I don't know. Again, I am cooperating, and I am here to do my job," she said.
Federal agents are reviewing documents taken from the home and offices of multiple Tennessee lawmakers on Friday morning, but the cause of the raids remains a mystery.
As for what took place insight the hearing room, Chairman William Lamberth says it was a standard caucus meeting before the general session. Republicans in the caucus said they did not discuss the FBI raids.
"It was referenced in the fact that there is an ongoing investigation, but no one knows about the details to my knowledge, and it was not discussed," comments Lamberth.
Casada never came out for comment, and News 4 never saw him but was told he was in there.
"He was present, yes," says Lamberth said. "He did not speak, and yes, he was present today and did not address the group in any way."
Casada was seen shortly after at the general session. He escaped the media afterward by taking a side staircase.
But even with an FBI investigation, Smith said she's in the office to get the job done.
"Every bit of this is a true honor to serve the people of Tennessee, and I am here to do the job," she said.
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - State lawmakers will be back to work for the new year starting today,…
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