BENTON, Tenn. — Polk County Commissioner Fred Wilcoxon has resigned from his county schools maintenance job amid an investigation, officials said Thursday.
“There is nothing substantiated” about claims that Mr. Wilcoxon converted county property to his own use, Schools Director James Jones said Thursday, but he acknowledged that he is investigating.
Mr. Wilcoxon said allegations that he resigned because he converted propane purchased on the schools’ credit card are false.
“There is absolutely nothing to that,” Mr. Wilcoxon said Thursday. He is a Republican who serves in the 2nd District.
“I resigned over what I consider a civil matter so not to embarrass the school system,” he said.
According to records in Polk County General Sessions Court, Mr. Wilcoxon has an April 16 court date on a charge of theft over $1,000.
Records show a complaint filed with the Polk County Sheriff’s Department alleges that Mr. Wilcoxon received $5,500 from Harold Sutton, of Tennga, Ga., to buy real estate in Old Fort to close a land sale.
The complaint states that Mr. Wilcoxon would sell timber on the property to cover the loan and execute a timber deed to the property in favor of Mr. Sutton.
But the complaint alleges Mr. Wilcoxon took the money “and fraudulently converted it to his own use and has failed to return the money to me despite demand.”
Mr. Sutton alleges Mr. Wilcoxon never purchased the property.
Mr. Wilcoxon said Thursday he couldn’t discuss the case.
“I really can’t say much about this. My lawyer is taking care of it,” he said.
County Mayor Mike Stinnett said the theft charge and resignation will not affect Mr. Wilcoxon’s status as a county commissioner.
“Anyone can be accused,” Mr. Stinnett said.
“I resigned over what I consider a civil matter so not to embarrass the school system.”
— Fred Wilcoxon
