House Speaker Beth Harwell and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally are asking the acting director of the TBI to step down amid allegations that he used state funds for an affair with another state employee.
The wife of Acting TBI Director Jason Locke turned over emails to the office of Governor Bill Haslam, accusing him of the affair.
She said her husband had admitted to driving his state vehicle to hotels paid for by the state for trysts with the woman, including some out of state.
House Speaker Harwell said, "I commend Governor Haslam for immediately launching an investigation into the allegations regarding Acting TBI Director Jason Locke’s misuse of funds.
Locke now needs to step down. This should be dealt with swiftly, as the taxpayers of this state deserve nothing less. Tennesseans must be able to have trust in the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation."
Lt Governor McNally said, "The allegations against Jason are extremely troubling. If I were advising him, I would counsel him to resign for the good of his family and the bureau.”