NEWPORT-An incident allegedly involving Cocke County Mayor Iliff McMahan and moonshine during the shooting of a new CMT show called "Outsiders Inn" is creating controversy on a local and national level.

The National Enquirer reported that McMahan allegedly brought untaxed liquor (moonshine) as a gift to cast members of the show during the shooting at Christopher Place in June.

While Christopher Place Owner Marston Price on Wednesday claimed that McMahan did bring moonshine to the property, he said some of the Enquirer's accounts of the incident are inaccurate.

Price said his staff had alerted him that McMahan had allegedly brought moonshine to share with the others.

"All staff members know we have a strict policy of no outside alcoholic beverages. Not only is this our policy but it is Tennessee state law. Our staff notified Iliff of the policy. 

"At the shooting of the final episode, we identified illegal alcohol on premises and it was confiscated," said Price.

Contrary to the Enquirer's story, Price said no moonshine was specifically brought to cast member Maureen McCormick, who stars with Carnie Wilson and Bobby Brown in the show.  
Price said he isn't sure how the story made it to the Enquirer but said it wasn't through him or his employees.

"The source was not Christopher Place or any of our staff members," he said. "I was contacted for comments about the article by the Enquirer after having all details. I was extensively misquoted. I did not state that Iliff came riding up with moonshine in a paper bag, nor did I state the bottle of moonshine disappeared before he could present it to Maureen.

"I did validate the details the reporter already had and did indicate the moonshine was confiscated.

"Additionally, I have never thrown Iliff off of the property. He has been a loyal patron of Christopher Place and our new pub."

According to District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, his office is aware of the situation. Dunn, however, said he couldn't comment on the matter at this time.

The Plain Talk contacted Mayor McMahan for his comment on the alleged incident at Christopher Place, and he said, "I have not read the National Enquirer article. I will not promote our wonderful county and our proud heritage in the National Enquirer.

"However, I was told the article stated that I was thrown off the set of the (CMT) production. This is absolutely and blatantly untrue. I worked four different days on the project and worked to the full extent that the production staff needed me for my part. As for whatever went on at the set, I among many others signed a confidentiality agreement not to say anything concerning what went on at the project and I will honor the agreement."

McMahan did say, however, he was cast in the role of playing county mayor by the CMT production crew. In addition, McMahan said he used vacation time for the periods he spent on the show's production.

The Plain Talk made efforts to contact CMT officials in Nashville by phone for comment. However, at presstime, CMT had not responded to these inquiries.

Both Dunn and Danielle Elkins, executive director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission said it is illegal to possess any amount of moonshine in Tennessee.

Dunn said the offense is a Class A misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

Price said he is hopeful "Outsiders Inn" will have a positive impact on the county.

"Our intent was to bring business to Christopher Place as well as Cocke County in a time of economic downturn," he said. "I have heard the production brought revenue into the county at the sum of $500,000. That is a sizeable contribution for 30 days of filming.  Our hope was always that this could be a special experience for our location, our staff, and our county.  We hope that it will have long lasting effects on tourism in the area."

The first episode of "Outsiders Inn" is scheduled to appear at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, on CMT, according to CMT's Web site.