This afternoon, news broke (here on WVLT,  here on KnoxNews, here on Nashville Scene, here on The Chattanoogan) that Knox Counties sole Democrat State Rep. Joe Armstrong has been indicted in a tax fraud scheme.

TN House Speaker Beth Harwell was quoted in this KnoxNews story,

“I have not seen the indictment and do not know all the details,” Harwell said in a statement. “I would in no way defend any unlawful activity by a member and take it very seriously. Members of the Legislature should never act to seek personal gain from their service to the state.”

Also, House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga told KnoxNews.

“While these are very serious allegations, we must keep in mind that Rep. Armstrong should be considered innocent until proven guilty,” House Republican Majority Leader Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga said in a statement. “With that said, however, I do believe this is a matter in which our House Ethics Committee should convene to examine further.”

Well, this could be the fatal blow to a county party that only have two Knox County Commissioners, a City of Knoxville Mayor, a few Democrats hiding in non partisan Knox County School Board positions.

Put the fork in the Knox County DEMOCRAT party, they are DONE!

Armstrong is represented by Knoxville Criminal Defense Lawyer Greg Issacs.