Justin P. Wilson, Comptroller
October 16, 2019
Adamsville Public Works Employee Misused Fuel Card
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Joseph Knight, a former City of Adamsville Public Works Department employee.
The Comptroller’s Office began its investigation after city officials reported questionable transactions on the city’s Fuelman card reports.
Investigators determined that Knight removed a Fuelman card from a decommissioned public works truck, and used the card and pin number of another city employee, to make personal purchases totaling $1,480.02. A total of 60 purchases were made between January 2018 and September 2018, including one purchase in Panama City Beach, Florida.
The City of Adamsville terminated Knight’s employment on September 18, 2018. In October 2019, Joseph Knight was indicted by the McNairy County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $1,000 and one count of official misconduct.
“Although fuel cards offer convenience, government officials must keep close tabs on them,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “This theft went undetected for several months because fuel purchase receipts were not being collected and reviewed each month. The City of Adamsville has now corrected this issue.”
To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline. Follow us on twitter: @TNCOT
