NewsChannel 5 Investigates

New recordings from Marsha Blackburn's U.S. Senate office allege pressure to break the law, including potential Hatch Act violations by using taxpayer resources for political campaigns. The Senate Ethics Committee investigated these claims, but Blackburn dismissed the complaint as politically motivated.

A leaked document reveals Senator Marsha Blackburn's East Tennessee roundtable was a curated event with pre-assigned topics and scripted questions, contradicting her claims of engaging unscripted conversations with Tennesseans. Blackburn has avoided debates, interviews, and unscripted public appearances, while maintaining that she 'talks to Tennesseans every day.'

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn's office was investigated by the Senate Ethics Committee over allegations of using taxpayer funds for political campaigns. The probe included interviews with her staff about their interactions with campaign strategist Ward Baker and whether staff were pressured to engage in political activities using government resources. Blackburn's office confirmed the investigation but refused to release related correspondence.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn claimed she could not discuss her governor campaign during a federal event, but critics argue this reasoning lacks legal basis. She avoided answering questions after a speech at the Greater Nashville Technology Council, deflecting to general campaign outreach. Fellow Republicans and media figures questioned the validity of her 'federal time' defense.

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn is avoiding media questions about her gubernatorial campaign ahead of Tennessee's Republican primary. At an event with the Greater Nashville Technology Council, she left quickly without answering queries about her run or positions on issues like corporate subsidies. Political commentator Steve Gill criticized her evasive responses as unfit for a potential state leader.