The former director of the drug task force serving southeastern Tennessee counties misappropriated over $7,000, an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation revealed.
The 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force serves Bledsoe, Rhea, Sequatchie, Grundy, Franklin and Marion counties currently and served Van Buren and Warren counties during the time period under investigation, according to a report released by the comptroller’s office.
Cody Smith, whose employment was terminated on May 31, 2021, after being placed on administrative leave in March 2021, misappropriated confidential informant funds and seized funds, according to the report.
(READ MORE: Director of 12th Judicial District Drug Task Force fired amid TBI investigation)
The confidential informant fund, overseen by the director, exists to pay informants, provide informants with money to buy contraband as evidence and cover surveillance expenses, the report said.