Aug 6, 2024 - Politics & Policy

House Republican's phone seized by FBI

Juliegrace Brufke

APRIL 12: Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., is seen outside the U.S. Capitol during House votes on Friday, April 12, 2022. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) said Tuesday that the FBI confiscated his phone as part of a probe related to discrepancies with his campaign finance report.

Why it matters: The Tennessee Republican is facing an Federal Election Commission investigation into questions surrounding adjustments made to filings that previously stated he made a $320,000 loan to his campaign.

The FBI executed a search warrant at his home last Friday, NewsChannel 5 first reported.

What he's saying: Ogles — who recently won his primary and is being floated as a potential contender to lead the conservative House Freedom Caucus — maintains that the errors were not intentional.

"It has been widely reported for months that my campaign made mistakes in our initial financial filings. We have worked diligently with attorneys and reporting experts to correct the errors and ensure compliance going forward. Last Friday, the FBI took possession of my cell phone," he said in a post on X.
"It is my understanding that they are investigating the same well-known facts surrounding these filings. ... I am confident all involved will conclude that the reporting discrepancies were based on honest mistakes, and nothing more."
"I will of course fully cooperate with them, just as I have with the Federal Election Commission," he said.

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House Republican's phone seized by FBI

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