KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Opening arguments are scheduled to begin in the case of a disgraced former Knox County criminal judge who used people in his drug court to procure prescription pills.
Richard Baumgartner is accused of lying to cover up a drug conspiracy that included his pill-supplying mistress, Deena Castleman.
A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe showed Castleman was a drug court graduate who later convinced a felon on probation in the court to supply Baumgartner with pills.
Baumgartner resigned in March 2011. He pleaded guilty in state court to official misconduct but was allowed to keep his pension and avoided jail.
He was indicted in the federal case in May.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported a jury of 10 women and two men was seated Wednesday.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
