BY: Micca Terrell
Investigators with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury are looking into allegations that an employee of the Town of Ashland City may have inappropriately spent city money over a span of two fiscal years. According to an audit by Crosslin Certified Public Accountants issued in late January, “it is believed that a Town employee has made unauthorized, inappropriate, and/or personal expenditures with Town funds, as well as engaged in unauthorized and inappropriate use of Town capital assets on multiple occasions during the fiscal years of 2019 and 2020.”
The auditors were not able to determine how much the total amount of expenditures were, or the value of the unauthorized use of assets. The matter was reported to state authorities.
“Our office is involved in an investigation related to the City of Ashland City. Unfortunately, I am not able to provide any further information beyond what you have found in the City’s audit report. I can’t confirm who or what entity within the city is the subject of our investigation. I’m also unable to provide you with any timelines for when our report may be released,” said John Dunn, Director of Communications, Comptroller of the Treasury, in an emailed statement.
According to the audit, “Management of the Town is cooperating with the current State investigation into this matter, and at its conclusion will evaluate its options and actions based on the investigation’s outcome and results.”
In a statement, Kellie Reed, City Recorder, Town of Ashland City, said: “The Mayor and Council have been informed; however, this issue is currently under investigation and as such we are actively working with the State of Tennessee Comptroller’s Office. At the conclusion of the investigation, we will evaluate and determine appropriate steps to be taken.”
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