General Sessions Court Judge Ron Durby said he went on a casino trip with former Sheriff Billy Long about a month ago, but he said he "has no idea if he had a gambling problem."
Judge Durby said he knew that Long also went on a recent trip to Las Vegas, "but I thought it was some sort of sheriff's meeting."
Judge Durby said Long recently told him he was going to Tunica, Miss., a casino resort near Memphis. The judge said, "I told him I'll go with you."
He said Long picked him up on a Friday afternoon and they came back on Sunday morning.
Judge Durby said he can't remember who else went along on the trip.
He said while there, "we stayed in separate rooms. He went his way and I went mine. My sisters came down from Memphis to see me."
The judge said when he learned that the sheriff had been arrested last Saturday, "I was astounded. I had no idea any of this was going on.
"To me, he was an enjoyable person to be with. I considered him a friend."
He added, "I had no clue any of this was occurring."
Judge Durby also said he had no information on whether Long had a gambling problem.
Long resigned as sheriff earlier this week after his arrest on federal charges of bribery, money laundering, providing a gun to a felon and drug trafficking.
On Friday afternoon, his attorney, Jerry Summers, told reporters the "cooperating witness" in the case is "Overstreet" - the Rev. Eugene Overstreet.
The attorney said the "credibility" of Overstreet, a former Dalton preacher who now owns Family Mortuary in Chattanooga, is at issue.
Attorney Summers told reporters, "If you look into his past, I think you'll find some interesting things."
Overstreet earlier pleaded guilty to passing worthless checks.