KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jury selection is set to begin in the trial of disgraced former Knox County Criminal Court Judge Richard Baumgartner.
Baumgartner resigned in January 2011 amid a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe of allegations he used a drug court graduate and a felon on probation in his drug court to acquire prescription painkillers. He later pleaded guilty to official misconduct.
The U.S. Attorney's Office indicted him in May on charges of misprision of a felony for lying to cover up a drug conspiracy involving his pill-supplier and mistress.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/RTf4ZX) jury selection begins Tuesday.
Baumgartner's request to have the case thrown out was denied. Baumgartner had argued that lying to state officials does not amount to a federal crime because no federal officials were involved.
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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
