No charges against former highway commissioner
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – A grand jury has declined to press charges against a former interim East Tennessee highway commissioner who retired in December amid a probe.
Terry Shaffer served in the position in Sullivan County for about three years after the previous official was convicted of theft and misconduct charges.
Media reported that the grand jury found “an abuse of office” by Shaffer, who sometimes took five-hour lunch breaks, but no criminal violations.
Shaffer had said previously that the probe had nothing to do with his decision to leave. He said he had worked for the county for 30 years and wanted to make sure someone else would have time to run for the seat.
