Former state rep claims he was forced to resign after he was accused of sexually harassing intern

Former state Rep. Scotty Campbell is suing the state Legislature’s top administrator, saying he was forced out amid a workplace harassment complaint filed by an intern in 2023.

Campbell, an East Tennessee Republican, filed a lawsuit Tuesday saying he was “forced to resign upon threat of being expelled – that day – and losing his health insurance” by House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison. The filing also says Faison was believed to be conspiring with others to keep the media from finding out a similar complaint had been filed against him.

The former lawmaker filed a public records petition Tuesday in Davidson County Circuit Court against Connie Ridley, director of Legislative Administration, court documents show. The filing contends Ridley and others refused to disclose state records Campbell requested and is entitled to receive under state law.

Campbell resigned April 20 after a subcommittee investigation found he sexually harassed an intern.

Around noon that day, Campbell told the Tennessee Lookout he would not step away from the Legislature even though the Workplace Discrimination & Harassment Subcommittee determined he violated state policy. The subcommittee’s work was done secretly, and members were not allowed to comment on their deliberation.

Two hours later, though, he had vacated the Capitol complex, including the Cordell Hull Building where legislators’ offices are located.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton and House Majority Leader William Lamberth that night denied telling Campbell to leave, but Faison declined to say anything when asked by the Tennessee Lookout.