February 19, 2004

Secrecy, Lies and Legislation 2

Two days ago I sent Thomas Tigue, a deputy legislative attorney in the Tennessee General Assembly's Office of Legal Services, an email asking why he lied to the president of the Tennessee Digital Freedom Network about a Jan. 26 hearing on Senate Bill 3101, a bill that purports to address theft of cable television service. I was seeking his explanation in response to this investigative piece I published here on Tuesday. That article documents the lie Tigue told in an email to Scott Lyon, president of the TDFN, by presenting readers with an image of Tigue's actual email, and an audio of the hearing, which proves that, despite what Tigue said, he was not the only person asked to speak to the Communications Theft Study Committee that day. Two lawyers representing the cable industry were also on hand and invited to speak. They support the bill. The TDFN, which opposes the legislation, was not notified of the hearing.

I remain ready to publish Tigue's response to the story and explanation of why he mislead the TDFN, but have not received a response from Tigue. So I sent him another email - also cc'd to his boss, Ellen Tewes, the director of the Office of Legal Services, just as I did the first email two days ago.

Just as soon as he responds, I'll let you know. Meanwhile, for ongoing updates on SB 3101, be sure to check the TDFN's website,