Democratic State Representative Joe Armstrong's trial on federal tax charges has been delayed by six months.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reported Armstrong's attorney said he needed more time to prepare for the trial, and that federal prosecutors did not object. The trial was scheduled for August 2.
The indictment accused Armstrong of devising a scheme beginning in 2006 to profit from a cigarette tax hike planned by then-Governor Phil Bredesen.
According to the charges, Armstrong borrowed $250,000 to buy tax stamps at the old 20-cent rate, and then sold them at a profit after the state enacted a 42-cent increase. The lawsuit said Armstrong failed to report more than $318,000 in income.
Armstrong's lawyer Gregory Isaacs on Wednesday called the lawmaker "an innocent taxpayer" duped by his accountant.
