MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It has been more than a month since Tennessee’s secretary of state Tre Hargett was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in a state-issued vehicle. Since then, little, if anything, has happened in the case.
The charges are still making their way through court, and now we learn that an investigation into Hargett’s apparent improper use of a state vehicle has been put on hold.
You may recall that Hargett’s arrest occurred in mid-June as he was leaving the Bonneroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. According to state policy, improper use of a state vehicle must be investigated by the agency involved, and the results submitted to the general services department within 30 days.
That did not happen in Hargett’s case because the secretary of state’s office is waiting until the DUI charges are resolved in court. And that raises one of the biggest problems with this whole incident - agency employees will be investigating their own boss.
Hargett is a Republican – and to no surprise, Republican lawmakers have said very little about his arrest – other than they’re sure Hargett has learned his lesson. But that’s not good enough.
An independent investigation of Hargett’s improper use of a state car is warranted, and if necessary, disciplinary action taken. If an independent inquiry does not happen, Tennessee taxpayers will know once again that state officials believe the rules don’t apply to them.