KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Citizens National Bank in Athens filed a $4.8 million lawsuit Thursday against former Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison, claiming that Hutchison and his wife, Jan, owe the bank millions for an SHE Group, LLC, loan the couple guaranteed, according to the complaint filed in McMinn County Chancery Court. [Read the complaint.]

Hutchison is running against State Sen. Tim Burchett in the Republican Knox County mayoral primary.

According to the lawsuit, Hutchison and his wife "guaranteed, absolutely and unconditionally" the payment of a $5 million loan to SHE Group, LLC, a company that Hutchison owned, along with two other partners at the time of the guarantee.

Hutchison's campaign Web site says, "I had nothing to do with the management of the SHE Group; nothing to do with loans taken out..."

"I purchased stock to buy Dean Stallings Ford in Oak Ridge in December of 2006. In February of 2008, with the approval of a senior bank official from Citizens (National) Bank of Athens, I sold my stock and was assured that I would be released from the note," Hutchison said by phone, when reached for comment Friday. "I never had any role whatsoever in management, working at, or anything to do with the dealership. I simply bought stock. I have 33 years experience in public service, and I have never allowed my personal affairs to affect my ability as a public servant."

"I am the only one on the original note that is being sued," Hutchison says on his Web site. "Therefore, I will be filing a countersuit against the bank."

SHE Group is now in bankruptcy, and Hutchison contends he sold his share of the company before the bankruptcy was filed. Randy Hinton, one of the other partners, has said, according to published media reports, that Hutchison's sale of his share of the company was never finalized.