Here's a media roundup on yesterday's Market Square raid. (See yesterday's post for our initial report [1] and photos from the scene.)

WATE reports [2] that Scott West "was arrested on charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering." They also say West's brother Mike West and a sister-in-law have been charged. The businesses involved were Preservation Pub, Oodles, and Earth to Old City. A U.S. District Attorney told them details of the investigation are sealed.

WBIR reports [3] that Scott West was arrested on "federal charges of interstate transportation of marijuana and related charges involving money laundering." They also report that "the federal government has filed papers to review and potentially seize" West's businesses, but that "day-to-day operations would not be affected."

WVLT reports [4] that Mike and Scott West are both in custody, charged with "conspiracy to distribute marijuana and money laundering."

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports [5] that "federal authorities have filed the initial forfeiture pleadings to seize businesses and property owned by Scott West," which West's lawyer says his client "will be vigorously opposing." He also said West's business will remain open. According to the article, City of Knoxville spokesperson Margie Nichols said "the city does not condone any alleged illegal activity but would like to see the businesses remain open." She also said that federal authorities told her they would "make every effort to keep them operating."

The News Sentinel has another article [6] on the West family's involvement in redeveloping downtown Knoxville, saying they are the "poster couple for the resurgence of Market Square," and that their businesses are "considered some of the trendiest around." The article says the West's are "considered one of the largest property owners and business operators downtown."

According to the article, Margie Nichols said the "possibility of downtown Knoxville losing some of its more popular attractions concerns the city," but that "it will sustain itself." Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership CEO Mike Edwards said "it's not devastating." Chamber Partnership executive VP Rhonda Rice said that Scott West is "a significant influence on downtown and a good steward of downtown businesses."

The article notes that Scott West was a member of the Mayor's Downtown Advisory Committee and "and served on the boards of the Central Business Improvement District and the Market Square District Association."

(You may also recall that Scott and Bernadette West came to a City Council workshop last year to support the sale of the Candy Factory and other World's Fair site properties, which also involved the lease of the Sunsphere for office and restaurant space. The City and their chosen developers had mentioned the Wests as prospective operators of the Sunsphere restaurant. More recently, the developers considered abandoning that plan because of the high utility costs that would be involved.)