Good Government Group Calls for Criminal Investigation of Speaker Sexton

Group cites conflict between Sexton's residency, per diem requests

A national nonprofit group with a focus on ethics in government is calling for state and federal criminal investigations into Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton following media reports related to Sexton's residency and per diem requests.

Campaign for Accountability (CfA) has filed a formal complaint with both the Davidson County District Attorney and the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee calling for an investigation into whether Sexton violated any criminal laws by submitting numerous forms to the Office of Legislative Administration or by self-approving and submitting lodging per diem requests above the amounts to which he appears to have been entitled. CfA also requested that the IRS investigate Speaker Sexton for potential tax fraud if the speaker failed to declare the per diems as taxable income.

Recent media reports revealed that Speaker Sexton lives primarily in a home that he purchased in Nashville even though, for years, he has been collecting lodging per diem payments designated for legislators who live 50 miles or more from the state Capitol. CfA’s complaint details how Speaker Sexton’s actions may have violated multiple criminal laws, including felony theft, honest services wire fraud, and tax fraud.

CfA Executive Director Michelle Kuppersmith said, “Tennessee law makes clear that only those legislators who live more than 50 miles away from the Capitol are permitted to receive a lodging per diem. Speaker Sexton is not above the law and must be held accountable for any possible violations.”

Under Tennessee law, “a person commits theft of property if, with intent to deprive the owner of property, the person knowingly obtains or exercises control over the property without the owner’s effective consent.” Based on the ledgers maintained by the Office of Legislative Administration, Speaker Sexton appears to have obtained property valued at approximately  $79,954. If such payments were improper with the intent to deprive the citizens of Tennessee of that property without their consent, it is a Class B felony, punishable by eight to thirty years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines.

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