An investigation by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security found that the muzzle was purchased from Fiscus’ own American Express credit card and that there is no evidence to suggest it was meant to threaten her, Axios first reported Monday.
“Someone wanted to send a message to tell her to stop talking, they thought it would be a threat to her,” Brad Fiscus, her husband, previously told The Tennessean.
Last month, Fiscus alleged that she was terminated from her position because Republican lawmakers were upset about the health department’s efforts to influence teenagers to get the COVID-19 vaccine. After she was fired, Fiscus released a 1,200-word statement accusing health department leaders of using her as a scapegoat for political purposes, The Tennessean reported.
In response, the health department released a memo last month stating that Fiscus was fired for multiple conduct issues, including ineffective management and for attempting to channel state money into a nonprofit she founded.
“Regarding the muzzle: I ASKED Homeland Security to investigate the origin. Just provided a redacted HS report by Axios Nashville. Report says a second account was made under my name from a phone in WA? Waiting on unredacted report. Hold tight. No, I didn’t send it to myself,” Fiscus wrote.
Furthermore, in a statement distributed by her husband, Fiscus said she was not aware of the department’s report until Axios shared it Monday.
“I have asked Homeland Security for the unredacted report so that I can investigate further and am awaiting their response,” she added.
Newsweek contacted the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security for additional comment but did not hear back in time for publication.
