Judge rules emails should be public
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A judge has ruled that the Knoxville News Sentinel should have access to Knox County emails it requested under the state’s open records law.
The newspaper (http://bit.ly/H2gaUc) reports Blount County Circuit Court Judge David Duggan ruled on Tuesday that nine of the 13 emails in question were public record and the county should release them.
The records relate to Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett’s campaign finance disclosure problems that he has blamed on his ex-wife.
Knox County Law Director Richard “Bud” Armstrong said he’s not taking any immediate action. He says he is weighing an appeal of the matter.
The Knox County Law Department refused to release the emails, claiming that they were personal and not subject to the open records law.
