July 29, 2005

Just Haggling Over The Price?

The Tennessean's editorial page today rakes state Rep. Lois DeBerry over the coals for the ethical lapse that lead her to resign from her newly appointed position as co-chair of a new joint committee on ethics.

DeBerry has not been charged, but she certainly violated ethical standards for a legislator. At least she was smart enough to step down yesterday from her position as co-chair of the joint ethics committee — even after Speaker Jimmy Naifeh offered a laughable defense of her. Lawmakers need to understand that Tennesseans expect those who'll lead ethics discussions to be leaders by example.

DeBerry has been a powerhouse, the first black woman in a House leadership position. She has the respect of her colleagues on many issues. And that's exactly why so much is expected of a legislator who has attained her level of achievement.

Particularly with the legislature certain to take up ethics, House Democrats need someone who can walk the walk and talk the talk. A lawmaker who'll casually accept a $200 gift for the slots doesn't need to be leading the discussion. It's tawdry business that ill becomes DeBerry.

I'll only quibble with the editorial on two points. First, DeBerry did not "unwittingly" take the money. She did so willingly. Second, the paper notes that DeBerry "was quoted in the Commercial Appeal as saying she didn't discuss legislation or promise anything in exchange for the money," and accepts that claim as true - but, as The Tennessean's Trent Seibert revealed yesterday, DeBerry lied to the paper during an interview a few weeks ago when she said she said she had taken no cash from E-Cycle, the fake company at the heart of the FBI sting Operation Tennessee Waltz, which nailed four other lawmakers on federal corruption charges.

DeBerry lied to The Tennessean two weeks ago. Might she be lying now? House Bill 0037, the legislation some lawmakers are on video accepting alleged bribe to support, passed through several House committees. Is DeBerry on any of those committees? Did she vote for the bill in any committee? Did those votes come before or after she accepted cash from the E-Cycle representative? Inquiring minds want to know...