Rocky Top Exposed Tennessee Corruption

In 1986, the FBI and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation launched Operation Rocky Top to uncover political corruption tied to illegal charity bingo in the Tennessee state government. First-year Republican state representative Randy McNally joined the investigation after a bingo lobbyist offered him bribes and boasted about bribing other lawmakers. McNally wore a wire, gained the trust of lobbyists and insiders, and helped expose a scheme that used bogus charities to get bingo licenses and funnel money back to legislators. The investigation produced more than 50 convictions, sent several politicians to prison, and led Tennessee to tighten rules on political contributions and lobbying.

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