Full Senate to take up expulsion of Sen. Katrina Robinson on Feb. 2
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The full state Senate will take up the fate of Sen. Katrina Robinson, D-Memphis, on Feb. 2 and weigh whether to expel her from the chamber following her conviction on federal fraud charges.
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, announced the decision Monday, days after a Senate Ethics Committee determined Robinson violated the body's code of ethics and recommended she be stripped of her position.
Robinson had requested the committee delay last week's hearing so her attorney could join, while she continued to argue her federal case had not yet concluded, despite her conviction.
Robinson is awaiting a March sentencing for two federal fraud charges related to the mismanagement of federal funds in connection to her leadership of a nursing school.
Sen. Katrina Robinson: Senate Ethics Committee recommends Sen. Katrina Robinson's expulsion, will go before Senate vote
The senator was initially charged with mismanaging more than $600,000 of federal funds intended for scholarships and faced a 48-count indictment.
During the trial, a federal judge reduced the charges against Robinson from 20 to five. Robinson was then found guilty of four charges related to less than $3,500, which prosecutors said Robinson used for wedding expenses.
A judge then acquitted her on two of the four charges the jury found her guilty of last fall. But a federal judge in January also denied Robinson's motion for a new trial on the two remaining charges.
During the ethics committee, Democrats defended Robinson, arguing the decision to expel her was premature until the March sentencing. The ethics committee voted along party lines to recommend her removal.
Melissa Brown contributed to this report.
Adam Friedman is The Tennessean’s state government and politics reporter. Reach him by email at afriedman@tennessean.com.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Senate to vote on expelling Sen. Katrina Robinson after fraud charges
