NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Tennessee House of Representatives committee has found a Republican state lawmaker violated a harassment and discrimination policy.
Documents show the ethics subcommittee convened on Mar. 29 after receiving a complaint made against Rep. Scotty Campbell of Johnson County. Members found he violated Rule 82 of the ethics code for the House of Representatives.
Details of the investigation and findings will not be provided outside of the memo by the General Assembly. Legislative Administrator Connie Ridley clarified no further details can be released, stating "The General Assembly Policy on Workplace Discrimination and Harassment’s confidentiality clause states that no information concerning a complaint will be released to anyone not directly involved in the investigation, a lawsuit, or the implementation of corrective action. As a result no further information will be provided."
The bipartisan committee is comprised of four fellow lawmakers, two Democrats and two Republicans.
Just after 2:15 Thursday afternoon, as House was in session, Campbell issued a statement:
"I resign from the TN House of Representatives effective immediately."
His resignation came hours after WTVF confronted him about sexual harassment allegations involving legislative interns.
WZTV caught up with House Speaker Cameron Sexton in the hallway Thursday night after the session, who said the reports that came out today was news to him.
"Part of the process is to protect the victim or the victims if they do file a complaint to make sure they’re safe and secure and protect their information so unfortunately there’s information in there that can’t be disclosed," Sexton said. "The speaker does not know any of the details before or after other than a complaint has been filed and that a member was involved the committee is tasked based on the process that was set up after 2016, to take corrective action."
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