State Representative Joe Armstrong said he hopes the "truth comes out" when he goes to trial on federal fraud and tax evasion charges in February.
The trial has been set for February 23 on charges in connection to an increase in the state's cigarette tax.
A June 16 indictment accused the Knoxville Democrat of devising a scheme beginning in 2006 to profit from the cigarette tax increase planned by then-Governor Phil Bredesen.
Armstrong has been accused of failing to report more than $318,000 in income. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Armstrong told The Associated Press in a phone interview Thursday that he's optimistic about the outcome of the trial.
He said he wants the truth to come out, because "the truth is what's going to vindicate me."
