MEMPHIS, Tenn. — FBI agents conducted a search Friday at a nursing school founded by state Sen. Katrina Robinson, the agency confirmed.
Agents were seen removing boxes from The Healthcare Institute, 7253 Winchester Road. An FBI spokesman did not comment on the nature of the investigation, but said agents were executing a search warrant.
According to Robinson’s campaign website, she founded the vocational nursing school with a $1.6 million federal grant in 2015.
Agents also searched a southeast Shelby County home, the spokesman said. Records show the address matches Robinson’s.
Robinson, a Democrat representing southeast Memphis and Shelby County, won the District 33 seat in the Tennessee State Senate in 2018.
WREG reached out to the Tennessee Department of Health to see if the state was investigating, but a spokesperson for that agency said they were deferring to FBI in the matter. We also reached out to the district attorney’s office spokesperson, who said there was not an investigation.
WREG tried several ways to get in touch with the senator Friday. The doors to the school were locked, and no one answered the door at her house. We also tried calling, but got no answer.
Brandon Puttbrese, spokesman for the Senate Democratic Caucus, deferred questions to Robinson’s attorney.
“We’ve been made aware of the investigation and have received no indication that it relates to the legislature or her legislative service,” he said. “Our thoughts are with Sen. Robinson and her family.”
Former US Attorney Edward L. Stanton released a statement, saying, “I have been retained by Senator Robinson in connection with today’s events.”
Rep. Antonio Parkinson also released a statement saying, “We are aware of the investigation regarding Senator Robinson. We are not aware of the details surrounding the investigation. We are referring all inquiries to Senator Robinson’s attorney. Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleague and her family during this time.”
