By Herman Wang
Staff Writer
A city internal audit report alleges a South Chattanooga Recreation Center manager who was fired in January on suspicion of fraud embezzled at least $22,000.
According to the audit dated March 31, Michael Lowman, 38, who is identified in the report only as the facilitys manager, allegedly opened a personal checking account using his Social Security number at AmSouth Bank. Mr. Lowman was depositing city funds from recreation rentals, Kidz Kamp registrations and pool and aquatics fees into the personal account, the audit states.
Mr. Lowmans attorney, Bryan Hoss, said he has not seen the audit report. He said his client had told city investigators about the bank account and that it had been used for a youth football team.
We were actively providing the city with receipts and documents on his behalf, and they decided to terminate him and (they) no longer wanted any other information we had, Mr. Hoss said.
The police departments fraud division presented its evidence to the Hamilton County district attorneys office on March 8, implicating Mr. Lowman and the facilitys recreation specialist, Pam Davenport, 46. District Attorney Bill Cox declined comment citing an ongoing investigation.
See tomorrows Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
E-mail Herman Wang at hwang@timesfreepress.com
Staff Writer
A city internal audit report alleges a South Chattanooga Recreation Center manager who was fired in January on suspicion of fraud embezzled at least $22,000.
According to the audit dated March 31, Michael Lowman, 38, who is identified in the report only as the facilitys manager, allegedly opened a personal checking account using his Social Security number at AmSouth Bank. Mr. Lowman was depositing city funds from recreation rentals, Kidz Kamp registrations and pool and aquatics fees into the personal account, the audit states.
Mr. Lowmans attorney, Bryan Hoss, said he has not seen the audit report. He said his client had told city investigators about the bank account and that it had been used for a youth football team.
We were actively providing the city with receipts and documents on his behalf, and they decided to terminate him and (they) no longer wanted any other information we had, Mr. Hoss said.
The police departments fraud division presented its evidence to the Hamilton County district attorneys office on March 8, implicating Mr. Lowman and the facilitys recreation specialist, Pam Davenport, 46. District Attorney Bill Cox declined comment citing an ongoing investigation.
See tomorrows Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
E-mail Herman Wang at hwang@timesfreepress.com
