State senator pleads guilty to taking bribe

In return for the Chattanooga Democrat’s guilty plea, a more serious charge of extortion was dropped by federal prosecutors.

Crutchfield, 78, admitted taking $3,000 from an undercover FBI agent during the statewide bribery and extortion investigation code named Tennessee Waltz.

‘I have read the (plea) agreement, and I accept responsibility,’ Crutchfield told Judge J. Daniel Breen.

Crutchfield, who has been in the General Assembly for 31 years, is the only one of the four sitting lawmakers indicted in the scandal who hasn’t resigned from office.

Defense lawyer William Farmer said Crutchfield will step aside ‘in due time,’ before the Legislature returns to session in January.

A special election will be necessary if Crutchfield resigns before early November. Otherwise, the county commission in Chattanooga will appoint an interim senator.

The bribery charge to which Crutchfield pleaded guilty carries a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, though federal guidelines for a first-time offender would call for a much lighter sentence. Sentencing was set for Nov. 28.

Former Rep. Chris Newton, R-Cleveland, pleaded guilty to the same Tennessee Waltz bribery charge and spent nine months in prison.