Parrottsville Police Officer Received $95,000 in Questionable Reimbursements
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released a new report detailing unusual reimbursement practices within the small town of Parrottsville in Cocke County.
A Parrottsville police officer received questionable reimbursements totaling at least $95,592.95 from July 2021 through January 2023.
The officer used personal funds to purchase 70 vehicles through GovDeals.com. He also paid expenses including vehicle parts and repairs, fuel, and transportation costs. He was subsequently reimbursed by the town. The former town mayor approved the officer to purchase the vehicles and make repairs or improvements to them for resale purposes to generate revenue for the police department.
In all, the town issued 25 reimbursement checks to the officer totaling $472,430.72. Investigators question $95,592.95 of that amount due to reimbursements that were paid with no supporting documentation, lacked adequate documentation, were for purchases made through a third party not affiliated with the town, were for purchases of property not in the town’s possession, or were documented by invoices that could not be authenticated.
Investigators could not determine whether all the reimbursements to the officer were for the benefit of the town.
The results of the investigation have been communicated with the Office of the District Attorney General of the 4th Judicial District.
“Town officials should establish a formal written purchasing policy that creates procedures to lessen the risk of improper activity,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “It’s also imperative the town requires and retains invoices, receipts, or other supporting documentation before making reimbursements.”
To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports. To view a map depicting Comptroller investigations, go to tncot.cc/mappinginvestigations
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 X/Twitter @TNCOT and Instagram @tncot
Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov
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