State Senator Katrina Robinson (D-Memphis) on Wednesday became the first member ever to be expelled from the Senate. On a party-line vote, the full Senate approved the recommendation of the body’s Ethics Committee, which had previously voted 4-1 for expulsion, Senator Raumesh Akbari of Memphis being the only nay vote.
Akbari and several other Shelby County legislators had backed Robinson in her efforts to have any such action deferred until after her sentencing hearing on March 3rd. She had been convicted in federal court on two counts of fraud related to her alleged misuse for wholly personal purposes of federal funds intended for a nursing school that she operates.
State Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis), chairman of the legislative Black Caucus, had this to say: “Expulsion of any member of an elected body is never good for our state and our citizens. The expulsion of Senator Robinson is deeply disheartening. Valid arguments were made to allow for the postponement of the decision made by the Senate. The thirty day request to postpone the vote, had it been honored, would have allowed Senator Robinson to complete the legal process and resign if the guilty verdict and sentencing were held up or be voted out based on the rules of the Senate. It is a jolting reminder that we operate in the most powerful building in the land where the rules for citizens, the governor, the courts and members are made by the ruling parties.”
State Sen. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), who presides over the Senate as Lieutenant Governor, issued the following statement after the full Senate’s action: “While the expulsion of a Senator for the first time in history was not something any of us wished to see, it was a necessary action. The integrity of the Senate is of paramount importance. Senator Robinson was given every consideration and due process. The Senate could have acted immediately following her conviction.
“The Senate instead allowed her time to pursue every legal motion and all have been considered by the court. The Senate also delayed action in order to allow Senator Robinson time to reflect and resign. She declined that opportunity. The Ethics Committee Report was thoughtful, informative and persuasive. Senators Haile and Stevens clearly demonstrated that Senator Robinson’s actions demanded her removal from the body. While this result was avoidable, Senator Robinson’s actions and her refusal to resign made it inevitable. A sad day for the Senate.”
