State Representative John Mark Windle’s opponent in 2016 and now in 2018 is in the news and questions abound about why one of his businesses was raided.
The Herald Citizen reported here that a business owned by Republican Ed Butler’s wife was raided. Also, reported by over on News Channel 5 here.
The Nashville Post report is below
State Rep. John Mark Windle (D-Livingston) defeated his Republican challenger, Ed Butler, by just more than 2,000 votes in 2016.
The two men were set for a rematch this November, as neither faces a primary challenger, but the tenor of the election could change with the news Thursday that an assisted living facility owned by Butler was raided by authorities.
As NewsChannel 5 reported, the TBI and local police executed search warrants on the Senior Lifestyles facility in Cookeville, a separate business office and the car of Butler’s wife Stephanie. District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway told the station that the investigation involved possible abuse and financial exploitation of the elderly residents of the home and that he would pursue charges if the evidence warranted.
The Butlers did not comment on the matter. However, this is the second time the living facility has been under investigation. Prior to the Butlers’ purchase, law enforcement discovered that the executive director of the then-owner, the Upper Cumberland Development District, had illegally spent more than $1 million in agency funds on the property, which she utilized as her personal home. She later pleaded guilty to theft of federal funds.
Per the most recent campaign finance disclosure, Butler had only $581 on hand at the end of March. His 2016 race was self-financed to a significant extent, and he has $62,635 in outstanding loans to his campaign.
Windle, first elected to the House in 1994, had no money in his campaign account as of January. He has yet to submit a report for his first quarter finances, but as he could not fundraise during the legislative session, there would have been no change.
Early voting for the Aug. 2 election begins in six weeks
