Tina’s Story
Jarod Calkins earned a seat as Monroe County’s First District Judge in 2014. BUT when he gets caught paying for sex workers, he finds himself on the other side of the bench.

Hillary’s Story
Glen Casada wielded great political power throughout his political career in Tennessee and found himself embroiled in several scandals. BUT when funnels money into a slush fund to line his own pockets, he finally has to face the music.

Sources
Tina's Story
Ballotpedia
Jarod Michael Calkins

Deadline Detroit
Judge Ends Up On Wrong Side Of The Bench, Charged With Paying Hookers

Detroit Free Press
Monroe County judge charged with transporting, paying prostitute

Fox 47 News
Former Monroe County judge to be sentenced in prostitution case

Michigan Live
Michigan judge accused of hiring prostitutes for violent sex

The Monroe News
Calkins sentenced for violent acts related to prostitution--by Caitlin Taylor Boron

Patch
Michigan Judge Gets Prison Time In 'Sexual Torture' Case--by Jessica Strachan

Scribd
Victim Statements - Calkins, Jarod - Sentencing Memorandum With Exhibits

State of Michigan
Calkins Affidavit
Felony Complaint Jarod Michale Calkins

Toledo Blade
Ex-Monroe Co. judge headed to prison after paying women for sex--by Alexandria Mester

WTOL 11
Ex-Monroe Co. judge pleads guilty to 4 felony counts

Photos
Jarod Culkins--via Ballotpedia
Jarod Culkins at Sentencing--screenshot via Click on Detroit

Hillary's Story
CBS News
Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and top aide arrested, accused of using fictitious person to secretly profit from "fraudulent venture"

The Chattanoogan
Robin Smith To Testify Against Casada; Has Her Sentencing Delayed

Nashville Scene
Glen Casada and Cade Cothren Indicted, Arrested--by Stephen Elliott

News Channel 5 Nashville
Timeline of events leading up to Rep. Glen Casada's arrest--by Phil Williams

The New York Times
Ex-Tennessee Speaker and Aide Charged With Bribery and Conspiracy--by Johnny Diaz

Tennessee Lookout
Glen Casada: The rise and fall of a House Speaker--by SAM STOCKARD

The Tennessean
Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada, Cade Cothren plead not guilty to federal corruption charges
Who is Glen Casada? What to know about the indictment of him and Cade Cothren

The US Department of Justice: Middle District of Tennessee
Tennessee State Representative & Former Chief of Staff Indicted In Bribery & Kickback Conspiracy

Wikipedia
Glen Casada

Photos
Glen Casada--Facebook page photo via Williams Source
Cade Cothern--via Fox 17 News
FBI Agents Search Legislative Offices in Nashville, TN--Stephanie Amador/The Tennessean by AP via Times Free Press

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Hillary’s Story
Representative David Byrd made a name for himself in local Tennessee politics and eventually gained a seat in the State House. BUT when allegations of abuse surface, his legacy is tarnished.

Tina’s Story
Prominent in Illinois politics since the 30s, Paul Powell eventually became Illinois secretary of state in 1964. BUT after his death in 1970, Powell’s dark secrets were revealed.

Sources
Hillary's Story
The Daily Beast
This Tennessee Republican Nearly Died From COVID. Now He’s Fighting Masks.--by Michael Daly

The Daily Herald
3 former players accuse Rep. David Byrd of sexual misconduct while they were teens--by ALANNA AUTLER

Mother Jones
A Tennessee Republican Accused of Sexual Misconduct With Underage Girls Just Said He Isn’t Running Again--Becca Andrews

Nashville Scene
David Byrd Will Run for Re-Election After All--by Stephen Elliot

Tennessee Lookout
Byrd takes oath of office after long COVID battle, brush with death--BY SAM STOCKARD

The Tennessean
After 8-month COVID-19 battle, GOP Rep. David Byrd urges vaccines, says they 'should not divide us'--by Natalie Allison
Resolution filed again to expel Rep. David Byrd from legislature over sexual assault allegations--by Natalie Allison
What to know about embattled Tennessee lawmaker David Byrd and the allegations against him--By Jon Garcia

Wikipedia
David Byrd (politician)

Photos
Tennessee House Rep. David Byrd--by Mark Humphrey/AP via Mother Jones
Byrd on House Floor after COVID-19 Recovery--by John Partipilo via Tennessee Lookout

Tina's Story
Chicago Tribune
From hero to bum in a flash: How an Illinois politician’s shoebox of money exposed the rot of corruption--by Ron Grossman
The ‘Shoebox Scandal,’ 50 years later: That time when the Illinois secretary of state died with $750,000 in cash in a hotel suite--By John O'Connor

Illinois State Library
Paul Powell

The New York Times
Mystery in Illinois: Millionaire Aide--by John Kifner

SangamonLink
Paul Powell shoebox scandal

Time
Paul Powell's Nest Egg

Wikipedia
Paul Powell (politican)

WMAY
December 30, 1970: Details Of Paul Powell’s Stash Revealed

WPSD Local 6
50 years later, Illinois' 'Shoebox Scandal' still amazes

Photos
Containers of Cash--screenshot from Chicago Tribune
Paul Powell, Speaker of the House of Illinois--photo by Abbie Rowe, via Public Domain

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For show notes and links to our sources, please click here.

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Hillary's Story
Throughout his political career, Senator David Vitter championed conservative, family values agenda. But, when journalists highlight names from the DC Madam’s client list, his own morals are called into question.

Tina's Story
Tennessee’s 44th governor, Ray Blanton played an instrumental role in tax reform for the state and in building partnerships with foreign investors. But, in 1978, when suspicions surrounding Blanton’s questionable actions started to bubble to the surface, Tennessee didn’t know what the muck hit them.

Sources
Hillary's Story
Wikipedia
David Vitter
Wendy Vitter

New York Times
"Deripaska and Allies Could Benefit From Sanctions Deal, Document Shows"--Kenneth Vogel
"David Vitter’s Defeat in Louisiana Is a Lost Opportunity for Senate Democrats"--Carl Hulse

NPR
"Judicial Nominee Wendy Vitter Gets Tough Questions On Birth Control And Abortion"--video

Vice
"New Details on the Infamous DC Madam Scandal Emerge"--Jason Leopold

Mother Jones
"Here’s the Story Behind That Crazy Story About David Vitter Having a Love Child With a Prostitute"--Tim Murphy

The Advocate
"Once a reformer, David Vitter's now lobbying for Russian oligarch"--Stephanie Grace

Photos:
Britannica
Candidate Photo

Nola.com
Vitter and Wife

Wikipedia
Deborah Jeane Palfrey

Tina's Story
Sources
Wikipedia
Ray Blanton
Marie Ragghianti
Marie (film)
Adamsville, Tennessee

The Evening Independent
“The ‘Hillbilly’ Nixon”--Bill Rose

Tennessee Encyclopedia
Leonard Ray Blanton

Tennessean
“Donald Trump’s troubled presidency recalls Ray Blanton years”--GayNelle Doll
“How one of Tennessee's most dramatic political moments unfolded 40 years ago this week”--Joel Ebert

New York Times
“Blanton Grants Clemency To 52 Tennessee Convicts”--Special to The New York Times
“Goy. Blanton of Tennessee Is Replaced 3 Days Early in Pardons Dispute”--Howell Raines
“Senate Contest”--By George Vecsey
“Blanton’s Uncle Sentenced”--AP

UPI
“Ex-Blanton aides plead guilty in clemency-for-cash scandal”--Tom Humphrey

New Jersey Globe
“The ‘Pardon me, Ray’ Story”--David Wildstein

WKRN Nashville
“Turbulent Transition: The story behind the sudden swearing in of Lamar Alexander 40 years ago”--Hunter Patterson

AP
“Ray Blanton, 66, Ex-Governor Ousted in a Tennessee Scandal”--The Associated Press

Genius
Pardon Me, Ray Lyrics--Brian Christie

YouTube
Pardon Me, Ray Audio--Brian Christie, YouTube

The Knoxville Focus
Ray Blanton, Part 5--design

History Collection
Top Six Corrupt Politicians

Photos:
Wikipedia
Ray Blanton—via Library of Congress

Genius
Pardon Me, Ray Record--via Genius.com

Nashville Tennessean
Lamar Alexander Swearing In--via Nashville Tennessean

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