(The Center Square) — The chief wastewater operator for Oliver Springs was indicted on theft charges for allegedly using the city funds to purchase tires and other auto parts, according to the Tennessee Comptroller.
Travis Thrasher told investigators a former supervisor allowed him to use the city’s gas card for his personal vehicle if he used it for town business, according to a report from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office. Town officials said they never authorized the use of the card for Thrasher’s personal vehicle.
The investigation alleges that Thrasher charged at least $2,448 on the town’s fuel card. He is also accused of making just over $1,000 in personal purchases.
A Roane County grand jury indicted Thrasher on one count of theft over $1,000 and one count of official misconduct. He resigned in September and gave the town a check for $3,471 for “repayment,” according to the comptroller. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation assisted the comptroller’s office with the investigation.
The comptroller’s investigation also found more than $3,000 in other questionable purchases made by town employees, according to the report.
“The questionable purchases included food, auto parts, gift cards, and supplies that were not supported by itemized receipts or other documentation,” according to the report. “Therefore, investigators could not determine whether these purchases were exclusively for the benefit of the town.”
The investigation also found that the town’s employees were not enforcing policies with delinquent water/wastewater accounts.
“During the period reviewed, investigators found several water/wastewater department customer accounts with unpaid balances, some of which belonged to town employees, with outstanding balances as high as $1,054.83 and delinquent periods as great as 22 months,” the report said.
The audit looked at the town’s finances between July 2022 and July 2024.
