Sexual Harassment Claim Expenditures Still Kept Secret As Accused Representative Is Replaced

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

State officials are still denying the public any access to records regarding just how much taxpayer money was spent attempting to rectify the sexual harassment complaint filed against former State Representative Scotty Campbell.

Back in March, a House Ethics Subcommittee determined that Campbell had violated legislative policies by sexually harassing a 19-year-old intern.

As a result, the intern was moved from her apartment into a hotel to complete her internship, and all of her things were shipped back to her home. It has been said that the total cost was approximately $10,000, including almost $1000 in cash, but no official documentation has been released.

Officials from the Office of Legislative Administration have repeatedly denied requests from The Tennessean and other media sources asking for transparency, claiming that the legislature’s harassment policy stipulates that strict confidentiality be maintained. 

It is worth noting that, while the policy does prohibit the release of information regarding victim identification, specific accusations, and disciplinary measures, it does not address whether or not officials are prohibited from releasing information regarding public spending.

Questions have arisen as to whether state appropriation laws were actually followed.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton has previously stated that he has no knowledge of anyone in his office signing off on an expense approval.

“I don’t know if expenditures were made, because I was not a part of the details,” Sexton stated. 

Last week, Johnson County Commissioners appointed an interim replacement for Campbell. Former State Representative Timothy Hill returns to serve District 3, where he previously served as a representative from 2012-2020.

Hill will hold this position until a special election is held to permanently replace Campbell.

About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative  ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career.  Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others.  He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History.  Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com