NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Cocke County General Sessions Judge John A. Bell has asked the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary to dismiss formal charges against him.

Investigators have alleged that Bell sentenced defendants to probation terms that forced them to pay fees to a private probation company incorporated by the judge's brother-in-law.

Bell, first elected in 1998, said in a filing with the Court of the Judiciary that he previously has been cleared of any ethical violation.

The Court of the Judiciary is a panel of judges, attorneys and others that investigates charges of misconduct against state judges.

Bell said in his filing that a criminal investigation is also under way into the matter.

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