FILE PhotoKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A magistrate judge has refused to toss out federal charges against a disgraced former Knox County Criminal Court judge for allegedly lying to cover up a drug conspiracy.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that U.S. Magistrate Judge Clifford Shirley in a response filed Wednesday denied claims made by Richard Baumgartner that federal authorities were being vindictive in pursuing the charges of misprision of a felony.
He said federal prosecutors were after him because of public outrage that he was allowed to keep his pension after resigning from his position and pleading guilty to a state charge of official misconduct after investigators found he was having sex and buying pills during his courtroom breaks.
Prosecutors said Baumgartner repeatedly lied about a woman who was supplying him with pills. His trial is set to start October 23.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
