Feds arrest four legislators

Press conference set for 11 a.m.

Email | Print By Drew Ruble

05-26-2005 9:51 AM — Four state lawmakers and one former lawmaker have already been taken into custody by FBI agents Thursday morning and other arrests are expected.

News Channel 5’s Phil Williams first reported and NashvillePost.com sources have corroborated that the arrests stem from a sealed indictment by a grand jury in Memphis, which details a violation of the Hobbs Act, defined as extortion by force, violence or fear.

Sen. John Ford (D-Memphis), was arrested in the parking lot of the Sheraton Hotel. Rep. Chris Newton (R-Cleveland), Sen. Ward Crutchfeild (D-Chattanooga) and Sen. Kathryn Bowers (D-Memphis) have also been taken into custody by the FBI. Recently retired state Sen. Roscoe Dixon has also been arrested in Memphis.

The FBI has scheduled an 11 a.m. press conference in Memphis to explain the developments.

Joe Paris, a special agent on loan to the Memphis FBI to help with media surrounding today’s development, told NashvillePost.com by phone that the Memphis office is not confirming anything at this time nor making any statements.

Sources are telling NashvillePost.com that the development is likely connected to a piece of legislation Newton withdrew from consideration on Capitol Hill yesterday, and a potential contract related to its contents. The bill as proposed would have allowed the state to sell surplus electronic equipment to companies without competitive bidding. It would also create an alternative method for the disposal of surplus electronic equipment to divert it from landfills.

Ford sponsored the bill in the Senate. Bowers and Crutchfeild signed on. Other co-sponsors include Sen. Jeff Miller, Rep. Ulysses Jones, Rep. Charles Sargent, Rep. Larry Miller, Rep. Paul Stanley and Rep. Joe Armstrong.

A recent Chattanooga Times Free Press article cited an internal memo from the office of the Tennessee Comptroller revealing that state officials were concerned about the bill.

According to the Times Free Press, FBI agents interviewed both Newton and Bowers last week in connection with several bills sponsored by Ford, including the bill regarding non-compete bids for used equipment.

Newton told the Press, "I was very open and candid and blunt with them about what I knew and what I did not know…I’m an open book."