General Sessions Court Judge Richard Holcomb on Thursday morning said he was stepping down from the bench "until my name is cleared" in an FBI probe involving alleged corruption at the court.
Three other General Sessions Court judges asked for an opinion from the state Administrative Office of the Courts on whether they also should step down. They are Judges Ron Durby, Clarence Shattuck and Mike Carter.
In another development, Criminal Court Judge Doug Meyer said the authority for Brock Bonding to post bonds in Hamilton County was suspended last week. He said there will be a hearing Jan. 11 on the status of the firm that is at the focus of an investigation into alleged corruption at the Courts Building.
Judge Holcomb said in a letter to his fellow judges, "I am hurt, disturbed, angered and amazed that Agent Blanton tossed about my name."
FBI Agent Jeffery Blanton on Tuesday testified in the Jerry Brock extortion case that attorney Lee Davis tipped off Brock that the FBI had wired Michael Nabe. He said Brock then called Scott Simcox, chief deputy clerk, to tell him that Judge Holcomb and others should avoid saying anything around Nabe.
Simcox, who was secretly working with the FBI at the time, resigned several months ago and is charged in the case.
Judge Holcomb said in the letter to Judges Carter, Shattuck, Durby and Bob Moon:
"As you are aware, an FBI agent has publicly and gratuitously injected my name into his investigation of alleged corruption in General Sessions Court.
"Aside from Scott Simcox, the former clerk cooperating with the FBI, I do not personally know any of those arrested or indicted.
"I am hurt, disturbed, angered and amazed that Agent Blanton tossed about my name.
"It clearly casts doubt on the public perception of my ability - and probably yours also - to fairly serve as judge. In order to help restore public confidence in the court, I am recusing myself until the certain time my name has been cleared.
"Slurs and innuendoes have no place in public corruption investigation. I have done nothing illegl, immoral or fattening with any of these folks. I look forward to the absolute certain time when I return to work."
Judge Holcomb on Tuesday said he did not know Nabe or bondsmen Jerry and Mike Brock.
He said the FBI had not contacted him, but he welcomed their inquiries.
Bobbie Helton, administrator of General Sessions Court, said an attorney, Rob Lawson, took Judge Holcomb's place on the bench for today.
She said she did not know who would fill in for Judge Holcomb in the future.
It was unclear whether the County Commission might name an interim judge or whether one might be appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court.
Retired General Sessions Court Judge H.L. Smith sometimes fills in for the sitting judges.