After facing scrutiny for his alleged role in an anonymous Twitter account that attacked his fellow Republicans, Rep. Rick Tillis has resigned from House leadership.

Rep. Jeremy Faison announced the move in an email obtained by The Tennessean that was sent to the 73-member House Republican Caucus on Aug. 30. Faison is the GOP caucus chairman.

"Representative Rick Tillis alerted leadership today that he is stepping down as our Republican House Whip, effectively immediately," Faison informed the caucus.

Faison offered no explanation regarding Tillis' resignation.

But last month, Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, and House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, told The Tennessean Tillis had admitted to having a role in the anonymous Twitter account that has since been deleted.

The account frequently attacked Republicans, including Holt.

Amid veiled tweets by Holt and Republican staffers this spring concerning who was behind @chbmole, a chair in Tillis' legislative office was urinated on, according to one lawmaker familiar with the matter.

Tillis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the lead up to and after last month's special legislative session, Holt was one of a handful of lawmakers who brought up Tillis' role in the Twitter account during closed-door Republican caucus meetings.

During one of the meetings, some members discussed the possibility of filing a lawsuit against Tillis, R-Lewisburg.

The GOP caucus held another closed-door meeting just after the special session ended, in which members revisited the subject of Tillis. House leadership declined to elaborate on the subject of the talks, saying it was a "family discussion."

Tillis' resignation leaves a vacancy in the House whip position, which largely serves to count votes and help garner support for legislation. As such, leadership has indicated they plan to leave the role open until the caucus meets in the future.

"You Majority Leader Lamberth and I know that there is fatigue on leadership races," Faison wrote, referring to the recent leadership elections of House Speaker Cameron Sexton and caucus chairman.

"We will personally pick up any responsibilities the Whip has (not too many responsibilities at this time of year) between now and the next time we meet," Faison added. "Let's get up tomorrow and do the next best thing."

Rep. Mark Hall, R-Cleveland, has expressed interest in serving as House Whip. He sent a letter to his GOP colleagues in July, when some wanted to issue to be discussed during a meeting largely dedicated to determining the group's support for former House Speaker Glen Casada.

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.