Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) (R) talks to with Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) as they walk to the Senate subway on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., December 11, 2013. Alexander's chief of staff, Ryan Loskarn, is under investigation for allegations of child pornography. Loskarn's home was searched by authorities and was put on administrative leave without pay. UPI/Kevin Dietsch |
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said Wednesday he suspended his chief of staff after learning he was handcuffed by authorities in a child porn possession probe.
Jesse Ryan Loskarn was led out of his Washington home in handcuffs and escorted to an unmarked law enforcement vehicle about 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Washington Post reported. Loskarn ignored questions shouted by reporters who had assembled near the residence after reports surfaced his home was being raided starting about 7 a.m.
It was unclear if he had been charged with a crime.
Politico said a computer and other pieces of evidence were removed by investigators believed to be from the U.S. Postal Service.
Alexander said he immediately suspended Loskarn without pay upon learning of the investigation.
"I was just informed by the United States Senate legal counsel's office that law enforcement agents are conducting a search of the personal residence of Ryan Loskarn, the chief of staff of my Washington, D.C., office regarding allegations involving child pornography," Alexander said in a statement. "I am stunned, surprised and disappointed by what I have learned. Based on this information, I immediately placed Mr. Loskarn on administrative leave without pay. The office is fully cooperating with the investigation."
Alexander named Loskarn, 35, a longtime aide, to his top staff post in 2012. Prior to that he worked for the House Rules Committee, as well as for Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and for Rep. Wally Herger, R-Calif.
