TENNESSEE STATE REPRESENTATIVE RESIGNS TODAY AFTER CHARGED WITH FEDERAL WIRE FRAUD

A member of the Tennessee House of Representatives resigned Monday after she was charged with federal wire fraud in connection with a political consulting firm involving former House Speaker and current Rep. Glen Casada.

Rep. Robin Smith, R-Hixson, faces one count of honest services wire fraud, according to documents unsealed in federal court on Monday.

Smith resigned from her seat Monday, according to a letter shared by her attorneys.

“I want you to know that serving the great people of this district, and indeed, all of Tennessee, has truly been an honor. I have resigned with the deepest of humility and out of respect for the role of public service,” Smith said in the letter to House Speaker Cameron Sexton.

The charges come 14 months after FBI agents descended on House office and legislators’ homes, including Smith’s, in a federal probe focused at least in part on campaign finances.