Baskin testimony follows request
By Jerry Markon
Staff Reporter
Sheriff of Tipton is heard by jury | Tipton County, Tenn., Sheriff Wayne Baskin testified Tuesday before a federal grand jury that is probing alleged misconduct in the West Tennessee county.
Baskin, wearing a dark brown suit and brown tie loosened at the collar, refused to discuss his 30-minute testimony. He appeared at the federal building in Memphis with his attorney, Russell X Thompson.
Thompson, who has been employed by Baskin for two months, said the sheriff was not subpoenaed but was asked to testify by U.S. Atty. Hickman Ewing Jr.
“Sheriff Baskin voluntarily came here today,” Thompson said. “I told Mr. Ewing that it wouldn’t be necessary to subpoena him.” Thompson said Ewing did not specify why officials wanted Baskin to testify. Ewing confirmed that he asked Baskin to testify but would not comment further.
Baskin’s department is the focus of a two-year FBI investigation. Sources close to the investigation have said the sheriff is a major target of the probe.
Grand jury members also heard testimony Tuesday from Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputy Beau Winberry, who declined to comment on his testimony. Testimony before the panel will continue Thursday.
The grand jury earlier this year subpoenaed several other Tipton County sheriff’s deputies, the county circuit court clerk, Baskin’s secretary and various county residents. Earlier witnesses said the panel asked them about sales of drugs and whisky, and alleged gambling in the county.
Federal authorities also have subpoenaed Tipton County Sheriff’s Department and court records going back to 1976, when Baskin was first elected sheriff.
Officials are reviewing the criminal records of 16 county residents, including several nightclub owners and the operator of an alleged horse-racing track in the county.
FBI agents are probing whether sheriff’s officers were involved in three unsolved killings in Tipton County, including the shooting last November of Sheriff’s Deputy Ricky Rose. Rose’s partner, Deputy Jimmy Hicks, was charged by state authorities with involuntary manslaughter in the shooting, but a judge dismissed the charges last month.
Thompson said Tuesday Baskin “is not involved in any type of wrongdoing, illegal or otherwise. To his knowledge, neither are any of his deputies.”
“It’s my understanding that the investigation is not only focused on Sheriff Baskin, that it’s broader than just Sheriff Baskin,” Thompson said.
Sources have said the FBI also is investigating other Tipton County officials, including officials in the county’s judicial system.
[ Sheriff of Tipton is heard by jury | Sheriff of Tipton is hear by jury; The Commercial Appeal; Memphis, Tenn; 22 Mar 1989]
