An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office found over $130,000 in questionable credit card charges by officials in the City of Sweetwater over nearly ten years. From December 2014 to June 2023, city officials spent money on meals at various restaurants without any clear policy to justify the purchases, as reported by WVLT.
Investigators found over $36,000 in spending without proper approvals or receipts. Food expenses over $71,000 were not properly justified, along with questionable purchases like diffusers and essential oils. Another issue was the "employee payback policy" named "gun pay," which allowed staff to make personal purchases and repay the city later. This account had at least $34,165.66 in questionable charges, according to WATE.
An investigation found that the city spent nearly $10,000 on questionable items like tourism and development, and over $4,000 on "questionable gift purchases" such as gift cards and event tickets. Comptroller Jason Mumpower said "The city should ensure it has adequate procedures to ensure all purchases are approved, documented, and appropriate." City officials have promised to improve oversight and update policies to prevent future issues and rebuild public trust, as stated by WBIR.
