Knox County mayor and newspaper battle over campaign finance reports

Knox County mayor and newspaper battle over campaign finance reports

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KNOXVILLE (WATE) - The editor of the Knoxville News-Sentinel says Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is trying to get around the state law that protects reporters from being forced to reveal confidential sources.

The newspaper is challenging a subpoena filed by Mayor Burchett's attorney, Al Harb, which calls on it to hand over visitor sign-in sheets and surveillance video from its offices.

Editor Jack McElroy says it's an attempt to find out who gave the paper copies of checks written by Burchett's wife, Allison Burchett, from the mayor's campaign account.

The paper reported in June that some of those checks worth more than $15,000 were written by Allison Burchett to herself. The checks also were not listed on financial disclosure forms.

Allison Burchett filed for divorce in April.

McElroy says his newspaper will vigorously fight the subpoena.

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