Convicted former Knox trustee briefly jailed for failing to pay restitution
Former Knox County Trustee Mike Lowe was arrested Tuesday on a probation violation charge for falling behind — to the tune of $13,450 — in paying restitution to county coffers for his admitted thievery, reports the News Sentinel. He was released from jail after posting a bond of $13,450.
Nashville mayor pleads guilty to theft, resigns from office
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry today pleaded guilty to a theft charge tied to her affair with her former police bodyguard, Rob Forrest, then resigned from office. She agreed as part of a plea bargain to reimburse the city $11,000 and serve three years on probation.
The deal also called for her resignation and she officially announced that at a news conference following her court appearance.
TN woman arrested trying to break into White House — again
A Tennessee woman who was convicted last year of trying to climb a White House barrier was arrested again Friday after authorities said she drove a vehicle into a barricade near the executive mansion and was found with a gun in her hand, reports the Washington Post.
More than 3,700 probation or parole violators now at large in TN
More than 3,700 convicted criminals under the community supervision of the Tennessee Department of Correction are now at large, according to state records reported by WJHL-TV. TDOC confirmed all of those people are in “warrant status” for violating the terms of their probation or parole.
Eight state prison employees fired in contraband smuggling probe
Eight employees at the Morgan County Regional Correctional Complex have been fired in an ongoing probe started after an inmate breached the state prison’s perimeter, only to return in an apparent effort to smuggle contraband into the prison, reports the Times Free Press.
David Kernell, who as UT student hacked Sarah Palin’s email account, dead at age 30
David Kernell, the son of a former Tennessee legislator from Memphis who guessed his way into Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s personal email account in 2008, has died in California at age 30, reports the Commercial Appeal.
Appeals court finds $250 DUI fine — used in financing TBI — unconstitutional
An appeals court has ruled unconstitutional a state law that requires every person convicted of DUI through a blood or breath test pay a fee that that helps fund the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, reports the Associated Press.
Tuesday’s ruling by the Court of Criminal Appeals in Knoxville says the $250 fee violates due process and calls into question the trustworthiness of test results obtained by the bureau’s forensic scientists. State law requires the money to go to the bureau’s intoxicant testing fund.
Haslam unveils legislation on juvenile justice reform, UT board downsizing
Press release from the governor’s office
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced his legislative agenda for the 2018 session, continuing his focus on leading the nation in jobs, education, and efficient and effective government.
State gets new TennCare fraud investigator
Press release from Department of Finance and Administration
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A veteran law enforcement investigator with Medicaid fraud experience has been named Inspector General in the Department of Finance and Administration (F&A). Kim Harmon will lead efforts to combat fraud among members of TennCare, the state’s healthcare insurance program. She succeeds Emmanuel (Manny) Tyndall, who is retiring after 14 years in the office, including four as Inspector General.
