NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander has replaced his chief of staff after learning the staffer’s home was being searched as part of a child pornography investigation.
Alexander said in a statement Wednesday that it’ll be up to the courts to judge Ryan Loskarn, but “under these circumstances, he cannot continue to fulfill his duties as chief of staff.”
Alexander named his legislative director, David Cleary, as his new chief of staff.
Alexander said he was “stunned, surprised and disappointed” by the allegations against Loskarn.
U.S. Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said in a statement that Loskarn was arrested based on probable cause for possession and distribution of child pornography charges.
Several messages left for Loskarn were not immediately returned.