D.D. 10/18/05

The Legislative Black Caucus, which has recently come under fire for gaps in disclosure of funds for its annual Legislative Retreat, now appears to be linked to Tennessee Waltz, the undercover FBI operation that exposed several corrupt law makers. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that undercover FBI agents posing as E-Cycle reps hosted a dinner during the legislative retreat and along with Charles Love, an indicted "bagman," tried to convince several black legislative leaders to take an E-Cycle junket to Miami.

Rep. Tommie Brown (D-Chattanooga), was chairwoman of the Black Caucus at the time of last year's retreat. She says that she didn't go to E-Cycle's dinner, but Charles Love offered to make a donation to Chattanooga Community College at her behest. Love's offer "might have had E-Cycle money now that I think about it," Rep. Brown said. "I do believe we (black lawmakers) have been targeted."

Black lawmakers indicted in the Waltz operation include: Sen. Kathryn Bowers (D-Memphis), former-Sen. John Ford (D-Memphis), former-Sen. Roscoe Dixon (D-Memphis), Shelby Co. Commission Chairman Michael Hooks, Sr. (who's son, in an apparently unrelated move has resigned his post with the school board), and Hamilton Co. Commissioner William Cotton. Hamilton Co. School Board Member Charles Love and Barry Myers, two bagmen, who have pleaded guilty in the case are also black. If you wondered what direction the defense could possibly go- there you go.

Update: Tennessee Liberal links to a Times Free Press article from October 16 that I missed. Rep. Ulysses Jones (D-Memphis) said the racial breakdown of Tennessee Waltz "raises eyebrows." There is more discussion in the article about racial discrimination being used as an issue in the trials. TL has some sense about it: "These people, Democrats and Republicans, black and white, abdicated all responsibility to their constituents in exchange for cash...I can't speak for the black community, but I don't see a defensible position here. This isn't about race, it is about an abuse of power."

Update II: More here.