Renewed call for an independent investigation of the THP

From the Tennessee Republican Party:

HOUSE DEMOCRAT OFFICIAL ADMITS TO ILLEGAL ENTRY OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS' OFFICE

Independent investigation now crucial in light of latest revelations of second scandal

NASHVILLE, TN - The Tennessee Republican Party today renews and strengthens its call for an independent agency to investigate two distinct scandals: the illegal search of confidential records by an officer of the Tennessee Highway Patrol; and other tactics for the purpose of intimidation.

“The admission by Keith Talley, political director for the House Democratic Caucus, that he illegally entered the offices of House Republican leaders late during the night to anonymously leave records aimed at intimidating a Republican legislative candidate has intensified the need for an independent investigation,” said Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party. “The public deserves the confidence of an investigation into this culture of corruption by an outside agency with no ties to the Bredesen administration or the Tennessee Democratic machine.”

Tennessee Democrat Keith Talley called his actions standard “political hardball” as his explanation to the Associated Press for his hand-delivering unmarked envelopes to the locked legislative offices of two Republican members of the Tennessee House leadership and mailing two packages directly to the wife of a Republican candidate.

“These are just the types of tactics that turn people off to politics. It is clear that the Democrat Party is very comfortable in embracing dirty tricks and illegal activities as part of their standard operating procedure,” Smith said.

The first scandal involves illegal database searches by a politically connected high-ranking THP officer with deep ties to the state Democratic machine and to the Bredesen administration. The administration itself was embroiled in a pay-for-promotions scandal involving the THP a few years ago after being caught giving preferential treatment on promotions to troopers who had given contributions to the Bredesen campaign.