George ThackerRhea County Executive George Thacker was cited for patronizing a prostitute during an undercover sting by the Knoxville Police Department on Friday, the Herald-News reported.
Thacker, 48, alleged offered a female undercover officer $50 in exchange for a sexual favor while at the corner of Tyson Street and Bernard Avenue near downtown Knoxville, the Dayton, Tenn. newspaper reported.
KPD officers cited Thacker for the Class B misdemeanor, although he was not taken into custody immediately. The county executive is scheduled to report to the Knox County Jail on May 20. According to the Herald-News, Thacker is expected to be booked and then released immediately without having to post a bond.
“I don’t know anything about it,” said Ronnie Raper, chairman of the Rhea County Commissioner Monday evening. “The way I understand it, it is a misdemeanor, not a felony. I have not spoken with George Thacker today.”
Rhea County County Commissioner Bill Holland said “the county [business] will go on,” with several meetings scheduled in the next two days.