Former Tennessee Lawmaker Charged With Sexual Battery

NASHVILLE, TN — Joe Haynes, a former long-time Democratic member of the Tennessee State Senate, was arrested Monday after being indicted for sexual battery. Haynes, 80, who returned to private practice as an attorney after retiring from the legislature in 2012, is accused of groping a legal client.

The victim told investigators that Haynes tried to French kiss her and grab her buttocks in July 2016.

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Haynes, who served in the legislature for 30 years and held several leadership posts during a the long period of Democratic majorities, is married to former General Sessions and Circuit Court judge Barbara Haynes.

After the woman's complaint, the case was assigned to the Metro Nashville Police Department's Sex Crimes Unit which concluded the investigation in a few weeks and sent it to the District Attorney for review. The DA forwarded the investigation to another prosecutor because of Haynes' prominence.

The grand jury returned the indictment on sexual battery without consent Friday and Haynes' bond was set at $2,500.

Image via MNPD