KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The U.S. Attorney's Office in Knoxville called a disgraced judge's argument for dismissal of charges "novel," but asked the court to deny it.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported on Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bolitho's response to a motion for dismissal of charges filed by attorneys for former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner.
Baumgartner resigned from the bench and his law license has been revoked.
The defense motion claimed Baumgartner committed no federal crime because he did not lie to federal agents.
Baumgartner is charged with seven counts of lying to various people, including state court officials, to cover up his mistress' drug-trafficking activities.
Baumgartner is scheduled for federal trial in October.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
