Knoxville, TN (WOKI / WVLT) We’re learning that another Knox County Government official has been indicted in connection to a state investigation into misuse of taxpayer dollars.
Former Knox County Trustee’s Office Director of Operations Jason Dobbins was indicted Wednesday on two counts of official misconduct. He was fired back in April because of policy violations. Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard was also indicted for official misconduct Wednesday.
Dobbins’ indictment comes as a grand jury Friday declined to indict Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs.
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs released a statement Friday saying, he is “extremely disappointed” to hear of the indictments handed down for Ballard and Dobbins.
“I am extremely disappointed to hear this news. While the property assessor and the trustee’s office both operate independently, and are not under the purview of the mayor’s office, allegations of misconduct by any elected official or employee undermine confidence in government, which is already rightfully low,” Jacobs said.
“As public servants, the term “servant leader” takes on a whole new meaning,” Jacobs’ statement read. “Your job is to serve the public, not to use your position to your own benefit. It is devastating when an individual’s ego or pocketbook causes them to act in a manner inconsistent with the highest levels of ethical conduct. Corruption has no place in Knox County. The people we serve deserve better.”
The trustee’s office is responsible for a large chunk of the county’s funding, including collecting all state and county property taxes, disbursing county funds and investing idle county dollars.
