Gov. Phil Bredesen called today's arrest of several state legislators a
"sad day" for the state.

He stood with legislative leaders in Nashville as he issued a statement.

Gov. Bredesen said, "At 6:00 this morning I was briefed by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney and the TBI regarding the arrests that were to take place. I know that the U.S. Attorney has conducted a news conference in Memphis in the late morning to brief the press and public of the details of their investigation and arrests.

"As you now know, four members of the General Assembly — Senators John Ford, Kathryn Bowers and Ward Crutchfield, and Representative Chris Newton— together with a former Senator, Roscoe Dixon, have been arrested by federal authorities and charged with violations of the Hobbs Act and other federal laws. Other individuals not a part of the legislature were arrested also.

"These individuals under our constitution are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it is important to remember that in the days ahead. If these charges are proven however, it will be a sad and difficult day for our state. Even the fact of these indictments and arrests are a challenge and a sadness to us all, and cannot help but shake the confidence of the people of Tennessee.

"The people who are standing here—myself, the speakers and the majority and minority leaders of the House and Senate—are the leadership of Tennessee’s state government; democrat and republican, house and senate, legislature and governor. We’re standing here together to assure the people of Tennessee that we are working together to ensure that the business of state government continues uninterrupted.

"We met with other members of the House and Senate leadership this morning, and they have assured me that they are committed to a swift and responsible conclusion to this year’s legislative and budget process, and that we will not let today’s developments interfere with the vital work that still lies in front of us.

"I want to add that I was proud to sign bipartisan ethics legislation last month, and we agreed this morning that we will set up a process to see whether further or different legislation could have prevented today. If so we are committed to constructing and passing such legislation.

"Today is a sad one on many levels, but we are working together to keep the ship on course and moving forward through this storm."