The ninth director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was sworn in on Monday morning.
David Rausch, who previously served as Knoxville's police chief, is the new head of the agency.
"I'm excited, I hope you are. We're going to have a great time, and I can tell you we're gonna move this organization forward," Rausch said. "I mentioned during the public part of the interview that I’m ready to go on day one. This is day one. We're ready and I’m excited and ready to get started."
It's been less than a week since acting director Jason Locke was forced to step down amid a sex scandal.
Locke is at the center of an investigation on whether he used state resources to engage in an alleged extramarital affair with Sejal West, who was deputy commissioner with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse when the affair may have begun.
The investigation began after Kim Locke, Jason Locke’s wife, sent a series of emails to Gov. Bill Haslam accusing her husband of using state resources.
"Anything you can say regarding Jason Locke?" The News4 I-Team's Lindsay Bramson asked Rausch about the investigation.
"No, not right now...thank you," Rausch replied.
The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury is investigating to see if state resources were used for the affair.
The News4 I-Team requested travel records and expense reports to find out how much money was spent during the alleged affair. But late Friday we got a letter from the District Attorney’s Office, also investigating...denying that request.
Locke's retirement is effective as of Monday. He was placed on administrative leave with pay last week.
The News4 I-Team is still fighting for those records because we believe taxpayers have a right to know if their money was used inappropriately.
A TBI spokesman says Director Rausch will sit down with the News4 I-Team and answer questions later this week.
PREVIOUS STORIES: Acting TBI Director placed on leave amid misconduct allegations | Acting TBI Director Jason Locke to retire | DA's office to investigate whether Acting TBI Director committed crime | Acting TBI director's alleged misuse of state funds under investigation
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