KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A judge has stepped aside from deciding whether The Knoxville News Sentinel must comply with a subpoena from the Knox County mayor for records of visitors to the newspaper office.
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is seeking paper and video records of visitors between May 15 and June 24 as part of his divorce case.
A June 24 story reported questionable spending in the mayor's campaign account, including payments of more than $15,000 to his wife, Allison.
Allison Burchett filed for divorce in April, and Chancellor Daryl R. Fansler recused himself from the case last week.
The newspaper has filed a motion to dismiss the subpoena. The entire case is on hold until the state Supreme Court appoints a new judge.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
