DesJarlais divorce record release could be Tuesday

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — A transcript from Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais' divorce case is being released but lawyers said the public may not see it before Election Day.

Attorney Gerard Stranch, who represents the Tennessee Democratic Party, and DesJarlais' attorney, Harvey Cameron, said Monday they reached an agreement to release the transcript.

Stranch said the DesJarlais camp won approval from a judge to withhold the document until the full transcript is ready. He said that won't happen before Tuesday.

Records from the 2001 divorce earlier revealed that DesJarlais, who opposes abortion rights, once urged his girlfriend to have an abortion. The revelation boosted the campaign of Democratic challenger Eric Stewart.

The impact of the latest release is uncertain. More than 120,000 ballots have already been cast in the 4th District during early voting.