An Independent Investigation is Necessary to Restore Trust in Troopers, Administration

NASHVILLE, TN - Following recent news media accounts of more scandals at the top of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Bredesen Administration, the Tennessee Republican Party joins Democrat House Leader Gary Odom in the call for immediate action.

“For weeks whispers and rumors have swirled around Capitol Hill with Administration officials ‘tipping’ reporters to personal records of Republican candidates and community leaders,” remarked Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party. “Only swift action will bring to light how this confidential information was planned to be used for political gain. An independent investigation is the only way to ensure full disclosure of the database accessed and the individuals involved.

“Citizens should be very concerned tax-payer funded THP resources may have been used for opposition research to discredit political opponents. It is essential that swift action is taken to prevent this abuse of power, and bring this situation to a clear conclusion prior to any potential influence on this election,” remarked Smith.

During this week, allegations have surfaced that Tennessee Highway Patrolman, Lt. Ronnie Shirley, has accessed the Tennessee Department of Safety database for political purposes and outside any official use.

The accusations involved appear to revolve around unnamed individuals who have had their Tennessee Department of Safety records accessed for political purposes. The names and/or organizations that have requested this information and their intentions of use have not been revealed. According to
The Tennessean newspaper’s coverage, Governor Phil Bredesen acknowledged that Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell has turned “the issue” over to the THP’s Criminal Investigations Division “to investigate as a potential criminal matter, rather than Internal Affairs.”

Bredesen said, “They are going to do their investigation. They are going to provide their results of that investigation to the district attorney. We will find out what, if anything, the district attorney feels is appropriate to do. Once the DA has made that determination, internally, they’ll decide what an appropriate action is.”

“Having an agency conduct its own investigation of felonious activity within its own ranks is stunning and unacceptable. This should be an urgent matter handled by an independent agency to reveal the identity of the individuals who had their records illegally accessed, the identity of the individuals who requested these illegal background checks and the use or planned use of the information, among the basic answers sought,” continued Chairman Smith.

It seems it was not a coincidence that the information about Oak Hill City Manager, Dr. William Kraus, was released publicly about his background immediately after the citizens of Oak Hill challenged Governor Phil Bredesen on the waste of taxpayer money to build an underground entertainment facility at the Executive Residence.

Throughout Governor Phil Bredesen’s tenure, there has been a distinct and disturbing pattern of scandal and corruption in the higher ranks of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Note an abbreviated list of unethical and/or illegal activities that have been revealed during the Bredesen Administration in the Tennessee Highway Patrol:

• The use of the designation as an “honorary captain” was exposed after the grandson of a “powerful Bredesen supporter” attempted to use it as a means to get “out of a drunken-driving arrest in January 2005.” Between 2002 and August 2005, 360 of these badges were distributed to an “exclusive group of campaign donors and political insiders.”

• “Two-thirds of Tennessee Highway Patrol officers tapped for promotion under Gov. Phil Bredesen gave money to his campaign or had family or political patrons who did, a Tennessean investigation found in November 2005.”

• The Tennessee Highway Patrol has 48 officers with charges on their record ranging from suspended driver’s license issues to felonies

• One-time “Trooper of the Year” Jerry Dean Watson forged a judge’s name to fix a speeding ticket, resigned from the Tennessee Highway Patrol after pleading guilty to the felony. Despite Watson’s departure from the patrol under these circumstances, he was hired back by the THP in January 2003–less than two months after the forgery charge was expunged.

• A commander of the Tennessee Highway Patrol went on a state web site in late 2005 and purchased a fishing boat confiscated by his own agency. Using the username “pitts,” Col. Lynn Pitts bought the 17-foot aluminum jon boat with a 40-horsepower engine for $1,700 in a competitive auction, during which he placed 25 bids over four days.

• Lt. Ronnie Shirley, the same patrol officer involved in the most recent allegation, “fixed” a speeding ticket for then-Deputy Governor Dave Cooley, a Bredesen confidant.

The Tennessean reports that “In such matters, the governor said, he doesn’t want to know a lot of the specifics.” Specifically Gov. Bredesen stated: “This is one of these things where I didn’t ask him a lot of questions about what exactly is going on…”

The Tennessee Republican Party views such a casual attitude toward these serious matters as incompetent and unacceptable. “At this time, Tennessee citizens need to have trust restored in their state government and deserve answers,” added Smith.