The Tennessee House Speaker released a statement regarding the investigation that has led federal authorities to raid Republican offices.
Federal investigators have been spotted raiding multiple state Republican legislative locations, as well as the home of Former House Speaker Glen Casada. They were seen carrying boxes out of his home, and are currently still on the scene.
A reporter for local news outlet WSMV tweeted footage of the scene, writing: “We just saw some Federal investigators walk into Former House Speaker Glen Casada’s home. When the door opened we saw somebody inside taking pictures.”
#HappeningNow
We just saw some Federal investigators walk into Former House Speaker Glen Casada’s home.When the door opened we saw somebody inside taking pictures.@WSMV pic.twitter.com/AMZuuaZnHE
— Tosin Fakile (@TosinfaksTV) January 8, 2021
Authorities were also seen raiding offices belonging to Casada and State Representative Robin Smith inside the Cordell Hull building on the morning of January 8.
Casada held the position of Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives from January to August of 2019, but was forced to resign due to allegations of misconduct and a scandal involving racist and sexist text messages.
According to multiple sources, other raids will be taking place in the coming weeks concerning this investigation.
Sources tell News 4 FBI agents are raiding the offices of Republican lawmakers this morning in the Cordell Hull building (where we are). That includes the office of Former House Speaker Glen Casada. @WSMV pic.twitter.com/NWgWOUEfbx
— Marissa Sulek (@marissa_sulek) January 8, 2021
Cameron Sexton, the current Tennessee House Speaker, said that he has been “contacted by federal authorities regarding an ongoing investigation related to the former speaker’s office.”
Sexton has provided an update on the situation as of January 8 at 11:30 a.m.
“Since becoming Speaker, I have been contacted by federal authorities regarding an ongoing investigation related to the former speaker’s office. I have been, and I will continue to be in full cooperation with the authorities as their investigation continues. On the advice of both Ethics and Legal Counsel, I am placing everyone that was subject to the execution of today’s search warrants on administrative leave until further notice,” Sexton said.
It is so far unclear why Casada’s office is being raided by federal authorities. During a COVID press briefing the morning of January 8, Governor Bill Lee said that he is aware of the FBI raids but knows very little about them.
