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Update:Important DesJarlais Hearing Day Before Election

142 views · Published 7 November 2012 · 2:38 · Indexed 6 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by John Madewell  A transcript from Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais' divorce case is being released the day before Tuesday's election.Tennessee Democrats kept Congressman Dr. Scott DesJarlais stuck in court one day before the election.  The state Democratic party sought portions of DesJarlais' divorce filings in Hamilton County Circuit Court.Circuit Court Judge Jacqueline Bolton ruled the divorce papers pertaining to DesJarlais' children will remain sealed. Both parties in this legal joust agreed about that, but little else.Gerard Stranch, the attorney representing the Democratic party, said the transcripts contained pertinent information for voters. "We're going to find that there were multiple women that Dr. DesJarlais was having an affair with who were patients of his. We're going to find trial transcripts out there that some of these women got pregnant while they were still his patients. We'll find he was prescribing them pain pills while he was having sexual relationships with them."After the hearing, Rep. DesJarlais' campaign released a statement. DesJarlais said, "The sole reason I appeared in Chattanooga today was to protect my children from these desperate attacks being driven by the TennesseeDemocratic Party, Lincoln Davis and my ex-wife. My opponent and his far-left political allies have done all they can to make this election about everything besides my record in Congress. In fact, it seems that the only opponent that I have ever had to run against is a 14 year old divorce."It is indeed an old filing, but Stranch asserted there is new information. "I have been given names of 8 individuals that he supposedly had affairs with."When that statement got back to DesJarlais' attorney, Harvey Cameron, tempers flared. Standing out in the rotunda, Cameron said, "I don't know who made that statement but if they can prove that I would like to hear that." Cameron turned toward Stranch, "Did you make that statement?" Stranch responded, "That's what we've been told."Cameron quickly said, "See, there we go, 'We've been told.' Why don't you look at the records? It's not in the transcript, according to the depositions at least."As the day grew longer, his opponent, Eric Stewart, released this statement: "Congressman DesJarlais is under investigation by the Tennessee Medical Board for sleeping with his own patients, he's been asked to resign by the Tennessee Conservative Union, and, more importantly he continues to hide from the media and from voters. If he's so proud of his record in Congress, then why has he refused to defend it in front of voters?"Stewart went on to say, "He's a do-nothing Congressman and a do-nothing candidate with a history of intimidation, abusing power, and blaming others. His campaign continuously throws around labels and blames other people, but only one person slept with his patients, told a patient she needed to go to Atlanta and have an abortion, and had four affairs while still married. That person is Congressman DesJarlais. This isn't about dirty politics -- it's about a dirty politician. Voters deserve better."In the remainder of his statement, DesJarlais said, "Despite their efforts, we have remained focused on issues that are important to Tennesseans. Tomorrow's election results will show that voters are tired of the gutter politics and want someone with a proven track record of fighting to grow jobs, cut spending and pay down our debt. It is important to note that these records were never sealed although the media has inaccurately reported otherwise."As of this report, the Tennessee Democratic Party didn't have its hands on the transcripts, an estimated 600 to 700 pages. Once it receives the transcripts, the party plans to release a statement.Records from the 2001 divorce earlier revealed that DesJarlais, who opposes abortion rights, once urged his girlfriend to have an abortion. The revelation boosted the campaign of the Democratic challenger..    The impact of the latest release isn't certain. More than 120,000 ballots were cast in the 4th District during early voting.

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