Illegal Annexation 16

After many months of delay, dates have been set for the Lenoir City illegal annexation lawsuit brought by the county. Back in February, the county filed a lawsuit against Lenoir City for two illegal annexations. A month later, Lenoir City answered the suit by filing a motion to dismiss. Since that time, the city has made no effort to set a date for their motion.

Last week, Circuit Court judge, Mike Pemberton, had set a date for a "scheduling conference" on the case. This happens when a motion is filed but never acted on.

While the motion to dismiss by Lenoir City will be the first hearing, it's highly unlikely a judge would dismiss such a case. The city council, led by Mayor Tony Aikens, passed two annexations in violation of state law. the first in 2020 the second on 2022. The 2022 illegal annexation is what exposed the 2020 illegal annexation.

Once the motion to dismiss is done, the county attorney, Kyle Baisley, will begin discovery and depositions. Many city officials will have to testify, under oath, how they came to knowingly pass two illegal annexations and many other questions surrounding the illegal annexations.  

Below are the dates for the various hearing deadlines and the suit.

  • March 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm Hearing on Lenoir City’s Motion to Dismiss (in Loudon County)
  • July 17, 2024  Deadline for filing of dispositive motions
  • August 7, 2024  Deadline to produce final witness and exhibit lists
  • August 21, 2024 Time TBD Final Pretrial Conference (in Roane County)
  • August 24, 2024  Deadline to submit trial exhibits
  • August 26-27, 2024 Trial (in Roane County)

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12/4/23