During the last weeks of session, House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, told reporters that he resides in Nashville along with his family during session. Now a nonprofit watchdog has asked for a criminal investigation into Sexton’s use of state tax dollars.
Although he owns a home in Nashville, Sexton still requests and uses a lodging allowance as if he resided in Crossville. Now, Michael Clauw with Campaign for Accountability, a group that works to expose corruption and unethical behavior, says they want Sexton investigated.
“The criminal law that he may have broken in the complaint is laid out. There are several potential violations. The most clear cut one is felony theft,” said Clauw.
Tennessee Lawmakers who live 50 miles or more from the State Capitol are given an allowance to be spent toward lodging. Crossville is more than double that distance. Sexton has received $79,954 from the state for his lodging expenses.
If those payments are found to be improper, he could face a felony, punishable by a minimum of 8 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
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