Former Clay County Highway superintendent accused of stealing $57K in fuel

(The Center Square) – The former Clay County Highway superintendent is accused of using 16,200 gallons of department-purchased diesel fuel for his personal transportation business.

Jason Earl Browning was charged with theft and official misconduct in an indictment from a Clay County Grand Jury.

The fuel was valued at nearly $57,000 between July 2021 and July 2023 for fuel used in his personal Peterbilt 379 semi-truck. The charges came after an investigation from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.

The fuel was pumped out of the department’s on-site fuel tank, which holds 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel for department use.

“The Clay County Highway Department should maintain inventory records documenting the receipt, usage, and storage of fuel,” said Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “By reconciling the amount of fuel that is purchased to the amount that is used, the department can better detect any improper usage.”