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Comptroller’s Office Investigates Hiwassee College Operations

Monroe County area college closed in 2019
Thursday, October 15, 2020 | 03:00pm
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The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has completed an investigation into allegations surrounding the operations and closing of Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee. The investigation began after the District Attorney General of the 10th Judicial District requested assistance from the Comptroller’s Office.

Hiwassee College closed in 2019 after the board of trustees determined the college’s financial struggles were insurmountable.

Comptroller investigators reviewed accounting records, bank statements, and supporting documentation for the period July 1, 2016 through September 2, 2019, and noted several deficiencies related to disbursements, travel reimbursements, and the release of restrictions on monetary gifts.

In one case, the former college president was reimbursed twice for the same expense. The former president approved a travel expense report in November 2017 and was reimbursed $1,510.77 for lodging. She then approved a second expense report in March 2018 and was reimbursed $1,510.77 for the same lodging expenses. The former president has agreed to reimburse the college.

Additionally, investigators determined that Hiwassee College did not ensure all provisions of state law were met before releasing funds with donor imposed restrictions from its endowment. College officials released at least $1,135,170.56 before meeting all provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 35-10-206(d). It should be noted that the released funds were deposited into the college’s operating account, and investigators found no indication that the institution failed to use these funds for the benefit of the college.

The results of the investigation have been communicated with the Office of the District Attorney General of the 10th Judicial District.

To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html

If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud. Follow us on twitter: @TNCOT

Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov

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