AP: Tennessee Trooper Ran Background Check on Reporter

AP: Tennessee Trooper Ran Background Check on Reporter

Sunday, August 24, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Nashville newspaper reporter was on a list of people believed to have been the subjects of unauthorized background checks performed by a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer.

The reporter, Brad Schrade, covers the highway patrol for the Tennessean. Schrade says he received a call Saturday morning from a highway patrol investigator who said Lt. Ronnie Shirley had accessed Schrade's background information.

The Tennessean reports that the agent who contacted the reporter is one of a team of officers who are calling people on the list about unauthorized checks.

Tennessean Editor Mark Silverman questioned whether Shirley's actions were condoned by his supervisors.

Schrade reported on the internal investigation on Aug. 12. Shirley has been placed on administrative leave.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,409621,00.html

20080824 Tennessee Trooper Ran Background Check on Reporter