MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- An FBI agent testified Wednesday that lying was part of his job as he investigated a powerful state senator suspected of bribery.
L.C. McNiel testified in a Memphis federal court for the third day under cross examination from former Sen. John Ford's lawyer.
Ford's attorney has tried to undermine the agent's credibility and asked repeatedly if the undercover agent lied in portraying himself to Ford.
Ford is charged with bribery, extortion and threatening a federal witness in a statewide investigation called Tennessee Waltz.
The FBI set up a fake company called E-Cycle and offered bribes to lawmakers to change Tennessee law for an advantage over competitors.
Ford is one of five current or former state lawmakers charged with taking bribes from E-Cycle.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
