Law puts utilities under microscope

CLOSER TO HOMECagle-Fredonia Utility District: In June, the comptroller’s office reported nearly $33,000 had been misappropriated between April 2009 and January 2011. Office Manager Charlotte Turner was indicted on a charge of theft over $10,000.Sewanee Utility District: In July 2009, an audit showed nearly $66,000 missing. A former district office manager was indicted on 11 counts, including theft over $60,000, forgery, passing forged instruments and official misconduct.Calhoun-Charleston Utility District: In 2006, more than $6,000 was discovered missing. A case against the district bookkeeper was referred to the grand jury.Watts Bar Utility District: In May 2006, auditors criticized what they called an “apparent conflict of interest” between the district, Holiday Shores Water Services and C.R. Barger Construction Co. leading to no-bid contracts and payment of private-company expenses outside the provisions of contract.City of Dunlap: A former clerk was indicted on one count of theft over $1,000 after a 2005 audit found nearly $3,800 missing from property tax payments and natural gas collections.Crab Orchard Utility District: Several indictments followed an audit in February 2005 showed falsified records, excessive expenditures and lack of financial controls and documentation.The former general manager was indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit theft over $10,000, conspiracy to commit theft over $60,000, theft over $60,000, forgery over $60,000, official misconduct and two counts of money laundering.The former assistant general manager’s charges included conspiracy to commit theft over $60,000, theft over $60,000, forgery over $60,000, official misconduct and two counts of money laundering.The former Cumberland County Commission chairman was charged with conspiracy to commit theft over $60,000, theft over $60,000, forgery over $60,000 and official misconduct.Cumberland Utility District: The former office manager of the utility district in Harriman, Tenn., was indicted on a charge of theft over $1,000. A May 2004 audit accused her of diverting $1,338 from utility payments to herself.Griffith Creek Utility District: An audit in October 2003 criticized the office for employing just one clerk with no supervision and noted improper posting of receipts and improper use of collected funds for expenses.Cities of Whitwell, Dunlap: More than $2,000 in customer payments to Dunlap for natural gas service was not deposited in the city’s bank account after collection by Whitwell city employees, according to a May 2002 audit.South Cumberland Utility District: The former general manager of the district office in Crossville was indicted on 14 counts of theft, forgery, money laundering and official misconduct. The audit in May 2002 showed more than $111,000 diverted in cash, checks and improper purchases.City of Crossville: An audit in April 2001 showed more than $8,000 embezzled through manipulation of records. A city clerk was indicted on charge of theft over $1,000.