Two senior officials in the Knox County government are facing allegations of misusing public funds following recent indictments for official misconduct, according to multiple local news sources. WBIR reports that "Former Knox County Trustee employee Jason Dobbins has been indicted on two felony counts of official misconduct," following a grand jury decision prompted by a state investigation into questionable financial activities involving the trustee's office.
Joining Dobbins in the indictment is Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard, both were the subjects of a grand jury decision late last week; meanwhile, Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs has managed to avoid indictment by the same jury, according to information obtained by WIVK.
In response to these allegations and the subsequent legal actions, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs expressed his frustration, “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 conveyed through a statement covered by both WVLT.
Jacobs went on to emphasize the core values expected of public officials, stating, “Your job is to serve the public, not to use your position to your own benefit.” In his statement, he affirmed the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption: “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,” in a statement obtained by WVLT.
The trustee's office, currently under investigation, is tasked with managing key financial functions for the county, including property tax collection and the investment of idle funds. Legal proceedings involving Dobbins and Ballard are ongoing, as authorities work to address the reported misconduct and its potential impact on public trust in Knox County governance.
