Crockett County Mayor’s Bookkeeper Stole More than $167,000
Michelle Spraggins Indicted on Four Counts
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Michelle Spraggins, who has served as the Crockett County mayor’s full-time bookkeeper since 1999.
Investigators determined that Spraggins misappropriated at least $167,458.62 in county funds between May 2013 and April 2024. The investigation began after the Comptroller’s division of Local Government Audit identified irregularities involving a county credit card.
Spraggins was able to abuse her position as bookkeeper to steal money from the county in several ways. The misappropriation included:
- $65,696 by using a county-issued credit card to make personal purchases. These purchases included but were not limited to, clothing items, cosmetics, pet food, gasoline, groceries, jewelry, party supplies, toys, outdoor furniture, and a variety of baby items.
- $66,389.40 in unauthorized wages and benefits paid between 2013 and 2024. Spraggins paid herself from the county’s “other contracted services” line item account in the mayor’s General Fund account. The mayor was not aware that Spraggins was receiving additional money.
- $35,373.22 charged to the county’s credit card to pay Spraggins’ family cell phone bill from 2014-2023.
Spraggins altered documents, forged signatures, and assigned charges to various line item accounts in the county budget in an effort to conceal her misappropriation.
Investigators are also questioning an additional $36,207.85 in credit card purchases made using Spraggins’ county card that either did not have accompanying receipts to support the purchases, or were not identified county purchases.
On April 17, 2024, Spraggins was suspended without pay from her position in the Mayor’s office.
On June 3, 2024, Michelle Spraggins was indicted by the Crockett County Grand Jury for one count of theft of property over $60,000, one count of fraudulent use of a credit card over $60,000, one count of forgery, and one count of official misconduct.
“This theft was able to remain undetected for years because county officials entrusted too much financial responsibility in one person,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “In addition to adopting a strong credit card policy, county officials must also ensure they are separating financial duties adequately to reduce the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer money.”
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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