Black's Intervention On Behalf Of Tennessee Truck Dealer Questioned

Congressman Diane Black is facing reports that she helped a truck dealer in her district get around federal pollution and safety rules.

A New York Times investigation published Thursday finds that the Republican lawmaker helped preserve a loophole that let a Crossville dealer put hundreds of diesel trucks on the road with outdated technology.

That company and its owner later gave at least $225,000 dollars to Black's gubernatorial campaign, mainly through the use of shell companies to circumvent Tennessee laws limiting corporate donations.

A spokesman for Black denies any wrongdoing.

"There are very few companies willing to try and keep manufacturing jobs in rural Tennessee today and Diane fights hard to support the few that do," Chris Hartline said in an email. "Diane does her best to help all constituents that walk through her door, regardless of their politics — that's her job."

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