Home of U.S. senator's aide searched in porn investigation: senator..

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) speaks during the Reuters Washington Summit in Washington November 9, 2011. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Law enforcement agents are searching the home of a top aide to Republican Senator Lamar Alexander in connection with child pornography allegations, the Tennessee lawmaker said in a statement on Wednesday.
Alexander, citing the Senate's legal office, said investigators were searching the Washington home of Ryan Loskarn, his chief of staff.
"I am stunned, surprised and disappointed by what I have learned," he said, adding that Loskarn has been placed on leave from the senator's office, which is "fully cooperating with the investigation."
The senator gave no other details, and a call to Loskarn's home was not answered.
Alexander is seeking a third term in the Senate in next year's congressional elections. While he is facing a challenge in the Republican primary, Alexander is thought to be in position to win re-election.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey and Richard Cowan; Editing by Jim Loney)