Brian McGinn, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy in the Western District, said he could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an ongoing investigation.

In a statement following his decision, Puckett said that he resigned, in part, to remove Senate Republican opposition to his daughter receiving a full-time appointment to as a Juvenile and Domestic Relations judge in the 29th District.

In the 40 member Senate, approving a judge would require 21 votes. Before Puckett's resignation, Democrats held 20 votes and Republicans held 20 votes, meaning that at least one Republican would have to join all Democrats to approve her appointment.

Senate Republicans had told Puckett that they objected to naming his daughter Martha P. Ketron, to the bench, as part of a belief that the chamber should not appoint judges who are family to a sitting senator.

“She cannot be confirmed into the position permanently as long as I serve in the General Assembly,” Puckett wrote in a statement the day he resigned.