State official: Corruption at Gibson Co. Sheriff’s Dept. started at top
GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — The state comptroller’s office has released findings from its investigation of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department that found more than $109,000 unaccounted for.
The 10-page report released Tuesday details how auditors say thousands of dollars went missing from the sheriff’s department between July 2013 and October 2014.
Kevin Huffman with the comptroller’s office said what they found most troubling is that they believe the corruption went from the top down.
“We identified a cash shortage of just over $109,000. $88,550 was payroll related,” Huffman said.
“What’s sad about this particular situation is it’s the official,” Huffman said. “It’s the elected official, and if you want to have control in an organization, it starts at the top.”
Among the other missing $20,000, the state says 41 prescription drug purchases that were supposedly for inmates never reached the jail and instead were delivered to former Chief Deputy Jeffrey Maitland’s office.
Officials at the Gibson County Correctional Complex couldn’t give us a copy of the indictments yet because the information hasn’t been put into their system, and the system was down Tuesday.
Those who live in Gibson County who spoke with WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News say even though there was a problem, they’re glad it’s being addressed.
“I think it’s a shame that can’t nobody be trusted,” Carol Royal said. “People work hard for their money and they need to know where it’s going, and it don’t need to be going in someone else’s pocket.”
The state also claims former sheriff Arnold and former employees falsified requests for benefits to the tune of $62,000 to be paid after Arnold left office.
“People taking stuff from the city and this county — instead of everybody else adding things to it, it’s constantly taking away, so you need to know what’s going on in your own county,” resident Anthony Floyd said.
Current Gibson County Sheriff Paul Thomas says the six current employees included in the indictments have been placed on unpaid administrative leave. All 12 people involved are scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 14.
To see the comptroller’s full report online, visit the Seen on 7 section of our website.
