The 17-member Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is throwing its support behind Rep. Joe Armstrong in light of his indictment Wednesday on conspiracy, tax evasion and fraud charges. Here's the statement:
The Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators is standing beside Representative Joe Armstrong and is urging the public to let the justice system run its course before rushing to judgement. According to reports, Armstrong has been indicted on federal tax evasion charges that claim he profited from a 2007 increase in the state cigarette tax and did not report the income. Armstrong says he will plead not guilty to all charges and is looking forward to addressing them and the truth coming out in the near future. Black Caucus Chair Brenda Gilmore said, "Joe Armstrong has served in the state House of Representative for almost 30 years and has had an exemplary record." "Representative Armstrong and his family deserve our support as he faces these legal issues and should not be prejudged before the matter is resolved", Gilmore added. Armstrong has just completed a two-year term as president of the National Caucus of Black State Legislators. He has also served as a long-term member and former Chair of the Tennessee Black Caucus and has been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
