James Bartee was running for sheriff of Oconee County last year when investigators say he offered to pay an informant to kidnap a former judge.
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ANDERSON, S.C. (AP) -- A former Secret Service agent who authorities say plotted to kidnap a former judge wants his case thrown out because he was arrested improperly and has not been given all the evidence against him.
James Bartee was running for sheriff of Oconee County last year when investigators say he offered to pay an informant to kidnap a former judge. The judge was expected to testify that Bartee was not qualified to be sheriff.
Authorities say they have Bartee on tape. Bartee's lawyer says the tape is vague. The lawyer says he wasn't given an original copy of the tape and has only a transcript that was edited by the informant.
Attorney Jake Moore said Friday state police may have conspired with local authorities who didn't want Bartee to be sheriff.
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