Knox Co. Law Director Admits Taking Improper Payments

A bombshell went off earlier this week when Knox County Law Director Bill Lockett publicly admitted he took improper payments from clients prior to being elected to office. Lockett said he accepted money from his clients but didn't pass that money to his law firm because of financial pressures he was under due to his child's medical problems.

The mea culpa has touched off a storm of opinions, with many saying he should resign immediately. Others are taking a more measured approach, saying they need more facts before deciding.

For his part, Lockett says he's made his public comments and has no further details, except to say he has no plans of resigning.

We invited the law director to come on the program, but he declined our invitation.

Joining Gene Patterson in the first segment to share their opinions on the matter are Knox County commissioners Richard Briggs and Ed Shouse.

Then in the second segment, discussion about Lockett's revelation continues with two members of Knox County's Ethics Committee, Frank Shanklin, Sr. and Elaine Davis.

6 News political analyst George Korda and Cortney Piper, of SRW and Associates, appear in the Final Word segment.