Lyons has said he offered to help Harris with housing as he did for two other new employees. He and Harris say the resolution was never used. According to Fagans, Lyons and Harris decided to apply jointly for a home loan with their combined income and respective credit histories. Harris discussed applying for a mortgage with officials at Union Planters Bank where Lyons had recently negotiated the credit-card deal. Harris changed plans.
Home buyers can avoid strict loan rules with large down payments.
She shared several instances with me of nest-egg money. Fagans, who twice has been flown to Tampa to meet with federal authorities investigating Lyons, said that when Lyons was in Nashville he spent nights at Harris' house. They also posed as husband and wife during getaways to such resort areas as Gatlinburg, Tenn., she said. It was the worst kept secret since the Immaculate Conception. Harris was supposed to testify last Thursday before the federal grand jury investigating Lyons, but her testimony was delayed by her attorneys.