Takes Issue With Wilder On FBI Tactics Being "Wrong"
posted May 28, 2005
 Rep. Chris Clem |
Rep. Clem also took issue with Lt. Gov. John Wilder, who said the way the FBI went about making the case against Sen. Ward Crutchfield, Rep. Chris Newton and others by offering them money was "wrong."
Rep. Clem said, "Democrats from Memphis to Chattanooga are screaming unfair. Democrats in Memphis are already claiming this is a conspiracy to hurt Harold Ford Jr.'s run for the United States Senate. We are hearing Democrat leaders in Nashville such as Lt. Gov. John Wilder attack the FBI and TBI sting for being "wrong!" Now, we are seeing Democrats in Chattanooga complaining that Republicans were not caught up in this corruption. (Well, one Republican was involved who attended Democrat caucus meetings, sponsored Democrat legislation and was widely known as the Democrats' right hand man).
"We have a wonderful judicial system. I fully support the constitutional principle of requiring government to prove a person is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt prior to taking someone's freedom. Neither the state or federal Constitutions require such safeguards prior to withdrawing your political support or prior to removing an elected official from office.
"This corruption trial could take one to two years. Further, the video that is currently being shown from Memphis and Nashville is so shocking that there is plenty of evidence for the public to withdraw their collective political support from the Democrat leadership in Nashville.
"Article II, Section 12, of the State Constitution allows 'Each house may…punish its members for disorderly behavior, and with concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.' Accordingly, the state constitution certainly does not require legislators to wait for a felony conviction or wait for evidence 'beyond a reasonable doubt.' The legislature is allowed to remove members for mere 'disorderly behavior.'
"Certainly the public at large has a right to withdraw their support, demand resignations or actively work to remove legislators who disappoint them.
"In summary, none of us currently have enough evidence from the Tennessee Waltz Sting to convict someone beyond a reasonable doubt and send them to prison. I am pleased that these individuals have their freedom protected from being imprisoned until the government can prove the indictment beyond a reasonable doubt.
"However, it is quite possible that we may have enough evidence to demand resignations or impeachment prior to a conviction.
"Further, if Democrat leaders such as Lt. Gov. John Wilder have enough evidence to slam law enforcement as 'wrong' for conducting this sting then certainly the public may have gathered enough evidence to start questioning whether their legislators have done 'wrong.'"
Sen. Crutchfield and Rep. Newton, who are charged with accepting bribes to support legislation, are out on bond and continuing their service in the Legislature.
They can stay on in the Legislature, but are not allowed to serve as committee chairmen.
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |