Gadsden, Ala., City HallThe former mayor/fire chief of Gadsden, Tenn., using town funds for his personal benefit, an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury has determined.
The findings have been reviewed with the district attorney general for the 28th Judicial District.
Investigators examined a period between April 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013, and found the town had a cash shortage of at least $35,241. The investigation found that the former mayor also was responsible for questionable purchases totaling $39,925.
The cash shortage was largely due to the former mayor/fire chief’s purchases of gasoline, food and other items from a local convenience store that later were billed to and paid for by the town, a news release states. The former mayor/fire chief admitted to investigators that he bought the gas for his personal vehicle, as well as other items, and charged them to the town. Investigators also found the former mayor used town money to make a number of personal purchases from Wal-Mart, Lowe’s and J & W Surplus that included clothing, computers, denture cleaner and a gas trimmer.
Other questionable purchases included auto repair parts, oil and food.