FBI confiscates Ogles’ phone in campaign finance investigation
(The Center Square) – U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles said that his cell phone was taken Friday by the FBI as part of an investigation into campaign finance complaints.
The Republican from Tennessee’s Fifth District reportedly gave his campaign committee a personal loan of $320,000 in 2022 and recently amended his financial disclosure. He was also accused of opening a $700,000 line of credit that wasn’t reported.
“It is my understanding that they are investigating the same well-known facts surrounding these filings,” Ogles wrote about the FBI’s actions. “I will of course fully cooperate with them, just as I have with the Federal Election Commission. I am confident all involved will conclude that the reporting discrepancies were based on honest mistakes, and nothing more.”
Ogles is set to face Democrat Maryam Abolfazli in the Nov. 5 general election.
“The FBI’s execution of a search warrant and confiscation of Andy Ogles’ cell phone is deeply upsetting, especially given an ongoing pattern of misappropriated funds and falsehoods regarding his education and work history,” Abolfazli said in a statement.
