Former Hamilton County Schools Assistant Nutrition Director Indicted for Theft
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Andrew Woodbury, the former Assistant Director of the Hamilton County Schools Department of School Nutrition (HCSN).
Investigators determined that Woodbury misappropriated HCSN assets valued at $12,374.68 between October 2021 and February 2022.
Woodbury circumvented HCSN’s property disposal process by opening up an unauthorized GovDeals online marketplace account to sell HCSN surplus property assets. The sale proceeds from this account were directly deposited into Woodbury’s personal bank account.
Woodbury also bypassed the approval process to sell surplus property by signing his name on the line designed for the HCSN Director on the Surplus Property Authorization Form. The investigation began after Hamilton County Schools officials reported allegations to the Comptroller’s Office.
When Woodbury listed the unapproved HCSN surplus property for sale on GovDeals, he undervalued the assets. Woodbury received a total of $2,304.33 through the sales; however, the surplus property was valued by HCSN officials at $12,374.68.
Woodbury stated he also sold personal items and items taken from HCSN dumpsters through the unauthorized GovDeals account.
Andrew Woodbury was suspended on February 24, 2022, and his employment was terminated on April 29, 2022. Based upon this investigation, in February 2024, the Hamilton County Grand Jury indicted Woodbury for one count of theft of property over $2,500, one count of forgery, one count of misrepresenting information to a state auditor, and one count of official misconduct.
“School leaders must ensure they provide adequate oversight over their processes for disposing of surplus property,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “This includes making sure all signatures on authorization forms are proper and reconciliations are performed to confirm all proceeds from sales are properly collected, accounted for, and deposited.”
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
Related Links: