KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A former Knoxville criminal court judge has appealed a federal conviction on charges he lied to cover up a scheme that provided him with painkillers and sex.
The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/UkZlHg) reports that the attorney for Richard Baumgartner, who was convicted on five counts earlier this month, filed motions last week asking that his client be given a new trial. Attorney Don Bosch argues in the motion that Baumgartner never lied to a federal official about the scheme and that federal authorities shouldn't have jurisdiction over the case.
Baumgartner pleaded guilty to state charges of misconduct and left the bench in 2011 but avoided jail time. An investigation found he had obtained prescription painkillers from felons in his court.
Baumgartner's sentencing is set for March 27.
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Information from: The Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
