The FBI has reportedly confiscated the cellphone of Republican U.S. Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee as part of an investigation into discrepancies in his campaign finance reporting. Ogles, a first-term member of the conservative Freedom Caucus, revealed the development on social media, stating that the FBI took his phone last Friday and that he is fully cooperating with the agency, as he has already done with the Federal Election Commission.
Ogles’ campaign finance reports have been under scrutiny for some time, with particular attention to a $320,000 loan he initially claimed to have made to his 2022 campaign. In recent months, however, this loan was removed from his financial filings. Ogles has characterized these discrepancies as “honest mistakes” and expressed confidence that the investigation will conclude without finding any wrongdoing.
The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee have declined to comment on the investigation, citing Justice Department policy. Ogles’ political standing remains closely tied to his association with former President Donald Trump, who recently endorsed him in a Republican primary election.
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