Indicted Rep. Chris Newton says he will resign
NASHVILLE (AP) — State Rep. Chris Newton, under indictment on corruption charges, told The Associated Press on Sunday night that he will resign his seat in the state House effective Nov. 1.
The Cleveland Republican was one of five current or former Tennessee lawmakers arrested May 26 in a federal bribery sting code-named Tennessee Waltz. He has pleaded not guilty in federal court.
“I prayed about it and I’m at peace with my decision,” Newton said in a telephone interview from his home Sunday. “I’m convinced this is the right thing to do at this time.”
Newton said he does not plan to change his plea. “I am where I am,” he said.
Newton said the weight of the criminal case against him contributed to his decision to resign.
“You try to compartmentalize your life day in and day out, and keep it out of your mind” he said. “It’s almost impossible not to think about it.”
Newton said he chose Nov. 1 as the date for his resignation to give himself time to complete constitutent requests he is working on. He said it also allows candidates for a special election to fill the seat two months to decide whether to make the race.
Newton said he has informed House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, and House Minority Leader Tre’ Hargett, R-Bartlett, of his decision, along with others in his party. Naifeh and Hargett did not immediately return phone calls Sunday night seeking comment.
Republican Party officials had called for Newton to resign earlier this summer, but he said constituents encouraged him to stay in office.
Former state Sen. John Ford, D-Memphis, is the only other lawmaker charged in the sting to resign.
The FBI set up a fake company called E-Cycle Management and offered bribes to lawmakers for their help in passing legislation favorable to the company.
Bribes were allegedly funneled in some cases through two “bagmen,” who were also indicted in the sting. Both of them, lobbyist Charles Love of Chattanooga and Memphis political operative Barry Myers, have pleaded guilty.
The other lawmakers arrested were state Sen. Kathryn Bowers, D-Memphis, Sen. Ward Crutchfield, D-Chattanooga, and former state Sen. Roscoe Dixon, a Democrat from Memphis. All have pleaded innocent.
Newton, 34, has served in the state House since 1995 and was first elected the day before he turned 24. In college he served as an intern to former state Rep. Bobby Wood, a Republican from Harrison near Chattanooga.
Newton developed a reputation as a member who worked well with both Republicans and Democrats, particularly in the push for approval of the state lottery.
Wood said Sunday night he believes Newton made the right decision in resigning.
“This has cast a cloud of suspicion and doubt over his head,” Wood said. “He has said he will fight this. He’s still young enough to move forward from this if he can.”
Bradley County Republican Party Chairman Steve Crump called Newton’s resignation a positive step. Party officials had sent Newton a letter in early July asking him to resign.
“It is the honorable thing to do, and I’m proud of him for making what I am sure was a difficult decision,” Crump said.