Pubdate: Tue, 01 Feb 2005
Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
Contact:  http://www.knoxnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States)

PAIR SUES OVER ALLEGED COERCED DONATION

A $20 million lawsuit has been filed against the Loudon County
Sheriff's Department over another alleged coerced donation to the
agency's drug fund.

Kenneth Wayne Templeton and his ex-wife, Tina Miller, both of
Kingston, filed the suit themselves Friday in Loudon County Circuit
Court, in connection with a January 2004 traffic stop on state Highway
70.

According to court documents, Templeton contends he was pressured
by deputies to contribute an undisclosed amount to the Sheriff's
Department drug fund in exchange for the return of his truck, which
was confiscated after the defendant's arrest on charges of DUI,
driving on a revoked license and possession of a Schedule II narcotic.

All charges against Templeton were dismissed in May 2004.

The suit names Loudon County Mayor George Miller, Sheriff Tim Guider,
Deputy Sheriff Paul Curtis, Chief Deputy Tony Aikens and the estate of
now-deceased Deputy Jason Scott, who made the initial traffic stop, as
defendants.

Also named as a defendant is Robert M. Martin, a Knoxville nurse
practitioner who allegedly denied having prescribed Templeton the
unnamed narcotic.

The suit alleges that Aikens and Curtis coerced and threatened the
complainant into making the donation.

Templeton and Miller argue that their truck's confiscation resulted in
"great monetary losses, embarrassment, public humiliation and loss of
business." They ask for $10 million in compensatory damages and $10
million in punitive damages.

Neither complainant could be reached for comment Monday.

A Loudon County grand jury indicted Aikens and Curtis on extortion
charges in December over a similar June 2002 misdemeanor traffic stop
during which the arrestee donated nearly $10,000 to the drug fund. A
civil lawsuit was filed, and the money was later returned.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin