NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Family members seeking justice for the victims of a tragic school shooting in Nashville last year have lodged an ethics complaint against a Tennessee state senator. They accuse Sen. Todd Gardenhire of exploiting his position to further his own interests in a sensitive lawsuit involving the release of the shooter’s writings.
Last year, Gardenhire and others filed public records requests for access to journals and other materials gathered by Metro Nashville Police during their investigation. The police have withheld the documents, citing an ongoing investigation that is set to conclude in a few months. Despite this, the senator and his co-plaintiffs sued to compel the release of the records, arguing that the shooter’s death means there is no longer an ongoing investigation.
The case has faced delays and complications over who has the right to intervene in the lawsuit. A group of Covenant parents, the Covenant School, and the Covenant Presbyterian Church sought to join the case and prevent the release of potentially damaging information. Their concerns range from maintaining building security to protecting their children from potential trauma.
Gardenhire’s involvement in the lawsuit has drawn scrutiny, particularly after he sponsored a bill this year that seeks to bar third-party intervention in public records lawsuits. The ethics complaint alleges that the senator used his legislative powers to advantage his position in the ongoing legal battle. Despite protests from victim advocacy groups and concerns raised by House members, the bill passed the Senate without debate and now awaits consideration in the House of Representatives.
Victims’ rights advocates fear the potential impact of the bill on those affected by crimes, arguing that it could further diminish their already limited power in the aftermath of traumatic incidents. Gardenhire has chosen not to provide a comment through a spokesperson, leaving it up to the Senate Ethics Committee to determine the fate of the complaint during the current legislative session. This case echoes past instances where lawmakers have faced scrutiny for their actions in office, highlighting the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in public service.