Lawyers look to seal filings in Lowell Barron case

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Attorneys representing former Democratic state Sen. Lowell Barron have asked to seal court filings related to his grand jury indictment.

Barron is accused of violating state ethics and campaign finance laws. The Huntsville Times reports attorney Joe Espy filed the motion May 8 saying he wants the state's filings to be concealed from the public to ensure Barron receives a fair trial. Randall Cole, the DeKalb County Circuit Court judge presiding over the case, has yet to weigh in on the motion.

Barron, who served six terms in the State House is being indicted by a DeKalb County grand jury along with former campaign staffer Rhonda Jill Johnson. The two are accused of diverting $58,000 from Barron's campaign account for personal and non-campaign use. They're also accused of using a 2007 Toyota Camry that was campaign property for personal use.

Barron, who served in the state Legislature between 1982 and 2010, has denied any wrongdoing. His attorneys have previously said the allegations are a witch hunt by the Republican state attorney general to keep Barron from returning to politics.

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