State Opens Criminal Investigation Against DA Funk For Claims Of Illegal Wiretapping

Image Credit: da.nashville.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –

Records show that the state has initiated a wiretapping investigation, looking into the Davidson County District Attorney’s office. 

According to a letter sent by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti on February 10 to Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk,  Skrmetti’s office is investigating to see if the DA violated state criminal laws, specifically those involving wiretapping.

The letter requested that Funk maintain all records “regarding the purchase, installation, maintenance and operation of all recording devices.” The letter was also signed by Deputy Attorney General Scott Sutherland. 

In a return letter dated February 13, Funk denied doing anything wrong. 

“We have never conducted any unauthorized audio or video recording of any area where a person has a legitimate expectation of privacy,” Funk stated. “We know what the law allows and what the law prohibits.”

Funk’s agency has installed something similar to “Ring cameras” on the front doors of the office for security because he says the work done by their office is dangerous. 

“We often receive threats,” Funk continued in the letter. “Some of these threats are credible, imminent and life-threatening.”

Funk said that security guards at the DA’s office have found weapons on visitors several times. He also noted several recent threats made by an individual to an assistant district attorney general. These threats resulted in a 10-hour standoff with law enforcement, shots being fired at police and a fire breaking out at an apartment building. 

“I will never forsake my duty to provide a safe working environment for the 160 members of my office,” Funk said.

He added that there has been no occurrence of improper capturing of audio or video in protected areas. 

NewsChannel5 reported on the audio recordings earlier this month, prompting the letters and the investigation. The wiretapping is only one component in a series of concerns levied against Funk’s office.

Funk has maintained that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.

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