Ex-Tenn. Lawmaker Gets a Year for Bribery

[Judi Lynn]

Ex-Tenn. Lawmaker Gets a Year for Bribery

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 22, 2006

(AP) A former state lawmaker who admitted taking bribes for legislative favors after being caught in a state corruption investigation was sentenced Wednesday to one year in prison.

"What I did was wrong, there's no doubt about that," former state Rep. Chris Newton, 36, told federal Judge Jon McCalla. "I've embarrassed my family, my friends ... I've brought a cloud of doubt over the institution of the state Legislature."
(snip)

E-Cycle was actually an FBI front company. Two alleged bribe-collectors described as "bag men" and a two local government officials also were charged.
(snip)

Newton pleaded guilty to extortion and bribery conspiracy last summer and resigned in the middle of his sixth term in the Legislature. He admitted to seeking and accepting bribes from undercover FBI agents operating the front company that supposedly was going to recycle used government computers.

After his plea, Newton, a Republican, told reporters he "became caught up in business as usual" at the state Capitol.
(snip/...)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/22/ap/politics/mainD8FUANB01.shtml

[mom cat]

1. It is that liberal FBI out to bag repukes!

[Mithras61]

2. "he "became caught up in business as usual""?

So he admits that this is a standard operating procedure for 'pukes? I'm actually shocked! Not that it is SOP, but that he (or any of them) would admit it!

[tn-guy]

4. Don't be too quick to gloat

I think the "business as usual" referred to the way things get done in the Tennessee General Assembly, not exclusively within just one party.

One thing it is important to keep in mind is that while the Republican Newton is the first to be convicted all the other defendants are Democrats.

[CottonBear]

3. Neither the Chattanooga or Knoxville papers mentioned he's a Republican.

Funny, huh?

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_80811.asp