After Representative Rob Briley (D) led officers on a high speed chase, he chose to put down the name of Mary Littleton, lobbyist for the Tennesee Trial Lawyer Association, as his contact on the police report. Briley's decision to list her name led to increased scrutiny and questions as well as a report from the Nashville Scene that Littleton had allegedly been the mistress of the powerful Judiciary Committee Chairman.
Unfortunately, marital affairs on the Hill in Nashville are more commonplace than you know. Many a legislator actually believes his own press and in the frat-party atmosphere that sometimes follows a hard day of legislating, thoughts turn from family and towards indulgence.
However, Briley's alleged affair went further than the poor choices regarding marital infidelity as he chaired a committee where his alleged mistress, Mary Littleton, had a vested interest. It appears such poor decision making has repercussions for Ms. Littleton. Meanwhile, Rep. Briley seems to be basking in the protection of fellow Democrats who have circled the wagon to protect the status quo, no matter how tainted that status quo may be.
From John Rodgers at the Nashville City Paper:
The Tennessee Association for Justice has fired its in-house Capitol Hill lobbyist who is connected with embattled state Rep. Rob Briley and allegedly had an affair with him. Suzanne Keith, the executive director of the group formerly known as the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, said its lobbyist and legal counsel Mary Littleton was no longer employed by the organization, effective Monday. Keith would not say why. "I'm not going to comment on internal personnel matters," Keith said. Keith did not use the term "fired," but a source close to the group told The City Paper that Littleton was "terminated" effective at 5 p.m. Monday. Littleton was listed on the group's Web site as legal counsel as late as Monday morning but the trial lawyer group had removed her from the list by early Monday afternoon. The separation comes about a week-and-a-half after the Nashville Scene alleged in a story that Littleton had an affair with Briley (D-Nashville).
AC Kleinheider was first on the story over at Volunteer Voters.
On a separate note, we can at least credit to the Trial Lawyers Association (now called the Tennessee Associate for Justice) for their concern over the conflicts. After all, State Representative Philip Pinion (D) serves as Chairman of the Committee that oversaw legislation that his girlfriend lobbyist Velma Jones was pushing. In fact, Pinion sponsored the legislation himself. The Trials Lawyers have one up on the toll road industry.
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