SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Fourth Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn has announced his retirement effective August 31, 2026, a decision that comes less than a day after a judge raised concerns about statements contained in a sworn affidavit Dunn filed in an ongoing public records lawsuit.
Dunn serves as the elected District Attorney General for Tennessee’s Fourth Judicial District, which includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson and Sevier counties. He was first elected in 2006 and was re-elected in 2014 and 2022. His current eight-year term was not scheduled to expire until 2030.
The retirement announcement followed a July 9 court hearing in two public records cases filed by The Gatlinburg Free Press and publisher Erik Cooper. The lawsuits, filed in 2023 under Tennessee’s Public Records Act, seek access to records that the plaintiffs contend could document alleged misconduct involving Dunn and assistant district attorneys Ronald Crockett Newcomb and William Brownlow Marsh during grand jury proceedings.
The cases are being heard by Senior Judge D. Kelly Thomas Jr., who was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court after judges in the Fourth Judicial District recused themselves from the matter.
According to information presented in court, Dunn previously submitted a sworn affidavit stating that he did not create or direct the creation of the records in question and did not maintain copies of those records in his files.
At the July 9 hearing, attorneys for the petitioners challenged the accuracy of those statements. Judge Thomas reportedly expressed concerns regarding both the language used in the affidavit and information that may have been omitted, ultimately ordering Dunn to appear and provide testimony at a future hearing.
The court proceedings were suspended pending further action on the affidavit issue.
Dunn announced his retirement less than 24 hours later. He has not publicly stated whether the decision is connected to the ongoing litigation or the judge’s order requiring his testimony.
Because Dunn is leaving office before the expiration of his term, Tennessee law requires Governor Bill Lee to appoint an interim district attorney to serve until voters elect a successor. The Tennessee Secretary of State is expected to issue a writ of election, with the office appearing on the ballot during the next regular election scheduled for November 3.
The litigation and related allegations remain ongoing. No court has issued findings on the allegations made by the plaintiffs, and the public records cases continue to move through the judicial process.
