Harwell seeks comptroller review of TNReady contract vendor Questar
Press release from House Republican Caucus
(NASHVILLE) — Under the direction of House Speaker Beth Harwell (R–Nashville), State Representative Jeremy Faison (R–Cosby) has officially requested a review by the Tennessee Comptroller related to recent testing issues of the TNReady school assessments.
Burchett accused of nepotism in hiring of stepson
A complaint to the state comptroller and anonymous emails to county commissioners accuse Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett of violating nepotism laws in the hiring of his stepson, a county laborer with a history of legal troubles, reports the News Sentinel. Burchett is currently running for the Republican nomination to the 2nd Congressional District seat.
Comptroller finds no major legal problems in Memphis Confederate statues maneuver
Press release from Office of the Comptroller
The Comptroller’s Office has completed a review of the City of Memphis’ December 20, 2017 sale of Health Sciences Park and the easement to Memphis Park to Memphis Greenspace, Inc.
Study finds ‘hodgepodge’ of 538 open records exemptions
Senate State and Local Government Chairman Ken Yager (R-Kingston), left) and Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville), attend a hearing on open records exemptions in Nashville on Jan. 30, 2018. (Erik Schelzig, Tennessee Journal)
When Tennessee’s open records law was first enacted in 1957, lawmakers included just two exemptions for information that should remain confidential. By 1957, that number had risen to 89. As of the beginning of this year, there are 538 exemptions.
Comptroller: UT sports staff violated policies in taking freebie golfing trips
Press release from state comptroller’s office
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has revealed a number of issues related to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Sports Surface Management. These issues include trips and entertainment that were provided to UT Athletics staff by a department vendor and prospective vendor.
Mumpower files $1.5M lawsuit in Interstate accident
Jason Mumpower, chief of staff at the state comptroller’s office, has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking $1.5 million in damages as a result of “extensive injuries” suffered in an Interstate 81 wreck, reports WJHL.
Mumpower was driving north on I-81 in Sullivan County on Nov. 2 when he was struck by a tractor trailer. In the suit, the truck driver is accused of driving too fast for the conditions at the time to avoid the crash with Mumpower’s vehicle. Mumpower was one of five people taken to the hospital in that crash and others that slowed traffic for hours.
Mumpower said in the suit that he has “incurred extensive medical expenses and out of pocket expenses as a result of this accident.” Mumpower told WJHL a few weeks after the crash that he had metal plates in his arm, cracked ribs and pelvic injuries, among other things.
Defendants in the suit are Pavel Gheleniuc, Sopranos, Inc., and Gogu Trucking Express Corporation.
Comptroller finds fault with TennCare paperwork pile
The state Comptroller’s Office says TennCare’s 98-page renewal form is making it harder than necessary for low-income Tennesseans to maintain their subsidized government health coverage, reports WPLN.
State museum chairman says comptroller review vindicates new leadership efforts to resolve past troubles
A “limited review” of Tennessee State Museum operations finds past problems – ranging from missing booze to nepotism and other conflicts of interest — are now being addressed and Thomas Smith, chairman of the board that oversees museum operations, tells The Tennessean he sees the report as a vindication of new leadership.
“I believe that this letter from the comptroller’s office is excellent,” Smith said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Former ETSU tennis coach indicted on fraud and theft charges
Press release from state comptroller’s office
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has released an investigation that has resulted in the indictment of Yaser Zaatini, the former Director of Tennis and coach at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). The investigation was initiated after the ETSU Department of Internal Audit reported financial discrepancies in the tennis program.
Investigators determined that from September 2011 through February 2017, Zaatini misappropriated at least $45,540 from ETSU and often provided fabricated or altered documents to the ETSU Athletics Department. Zaatini used a variety of methods to misappropriate the money. Zaatini fabricated and submitted at least 65 fraudulent student athlete per diem documents, which often appeared to contain copies of student athletes’ signatures. The student athletes told investigators that they had neither signed the documents nor received the per diem payments. Zaatini received money to which he was not entitled.
Jason Mumpower injured in Interstate 81 accident
Tennessee Comptroller’s Chief of Staff Jason Mumpower of Bristol is recovering in a rehabilitation center in Kingsport following a serious crash on I-81, reports WJHL TV.
He was one of five people taken to the hospital after a major crash and a series of crashes that slowed traffic for hours. Mumpower said he feels blessed to be alive and he’s grateful for the outpouring of support from his family, friends, and colleagues.
