DRUG DEALER TESTIFIES KNOX SHERIFF MADE SECRET DEAL

KNOXVILLE - Knox County sheriff Tim Hutchison made a secret deal to get a
drug trafficker to build an airstrip and hangar for the department's six
helicopters, the convicted man testified.

Scott S. Walker testified Tuesday during a hearing related to a Public
Records Act lawsuit filed last January by county commissioner Wanda Moody.

Moody's lawsuit contends the sheriff can't use taxpayer money for
construction and maintaining aircraft or horses without county commission
approval. The hearing was on her request that a judge find Hutchison in
contempt for not turning over records.

Walker, who will go to federal prison in less than two weeks, testified he
approached the sheriff's department about using his airstrip in Mascot
after he pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges in 2001.

Walker said Hutchison and Capt. Tom Spangler told him they would pay him
more money for using the airstrip if he built a hangar and office,
installed lighting and paved the runway.

Walker signed a "Landing Fee Agreement" in September 2001, and the
sheriff's office used the strip until Dec. 28, 2001, for a charge of $2,700
a month, he testified.

Hutchison also offered prisoners to help with the construction, Walker said.

Moody's attorney, Herbert S. Moncier, contends the agreement is the only
record Hutchison has turned over in response to Moody's request even though
more existed.

Chief Deputy Dwight Van de Vate said he didn't believe Walker's allegations
because Walker is a convicted criminal while Hutchison has been elected to
office four times.