by Kimberlee Kruesi, The Associated Press
Posted Feb 10, 2021 4:52 pm ADT
Last Updated Feb 10, 2021 at 4:55 pm ADT
NASHVILLE Campaign finance officials offered little sympathy Wednesday to a Tennessee Republican lawmaker who said he was unable to complete a recent election finance report due the FBI confiscating all his campaign files.
Newly sworn-in Republican Rep. Todd Warner was one of several state lawmakers whose homes and legislative offices were searched by federal agents earlier this year. Warner eventually sent an email to the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Ethics Commission that he could not complete his most recent campaign finance report because he did not have access to key documents.
Tennessee lawmaker in email to state officials: FBI took all campaign files in search
Jonathan Mattise
Associated Press
One of several Republican state lawmakers in Tennessee whose homes and legislative offices were searched by federal agents this month says the FBI confiscated all files and documents related to his campaign.
Newly sworn-in Republican Rep. Todd Warner provided the details in an email to Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Ethics Commission officials last Friday to explain why he could not complete his most recent campaign finance report on time.
The correspondence from Warner, a Chapel Hill freshman lawmaker, gives the clearest indication to date that the federal investigation is at least partly campaign finance-focused. Warner defeated former Rep. Rick Tillis in an August primary election.
“The FBI confiscated all files and documents related to my campaign including check copies from donations and checking account ledgers,” Warner wrote. “They also took all computers and back ups for the Campaign and my business. I will get the information to you as soon as the documents / computers are released.”
Federal authorities have not indicated what they are investigating after showing up to search the homes and legislative offices of Warner, former GOP House Speaker Glen Casada, state Rep. Robin Smith and former Casada chief of staff Cade Cothren. Agents visited Warner’s business address as well.
In addition, three legislative staffers were subject to the search early this month and placed on paid administrative leave. The searches took place at the legislative office building in downtown Nashville and other locations across the state.