Straight off a prison stint cut short by a presidential pardon, former Tennessee Sen. Brian Kelsey is maneuvering for legislation to pay his legal expenses.
The ex-Germantown Republican, who served two weeks in federal prison for directing an illicit campaign finance scheme, is lobbying lawmakers for legislation to enable him to use his state campaign account to pay legal fees after three years of court battles.
Republican Sen. Richard Briggs of Knoxville confirmed Wednesday that Kelsey called him twice to ask him to put an amendment on a campaign finance bill he’s sponsoring this session. Republican Rep. Tim Hicks of Washington County is sponsoring the House version of the bill, and Democratic Rep. Caleb Hemmer of Nashville is a co-sponsor.
Briggs wasn’t certain what sort of amendment Kelsey was seeking. Kelsey also contacted Hicks, according to Briggs.
But Bill Young, executive director of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, said the former senator wants to be able to use state campaign funds to pay for legal expenses.