$3K in ‘thank you’ gifts to Farragut coaches investigated by TN comptroller

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury has released the findings of its investigation into the Farragut Dugout Club, which supports Farragut High School’s baseball team.

According to the Comptroller’s office, the Dugout Club is a school support organization led by parents and volunteers to support and promote the baseball team. Investigators found that club officers wrote the team’s coaches 15 checks totaling $3,550 in “thank you” gifts in 2023 and 2024 that were not approved by the school system, as required. KCS administrators told investigations that they were not aware of the payments.

The Comptroller’s report laid out the payments investigators alleged were made during 2023 and 2024 in the following table.

The release also stated that four of the eight coaches were Knox County Schools employees, so the funds should have been given to the Board of Education so tax withholdings and other deductions could be done correctly.

The Comptroller’s investigation also found that the club used at least $495.63 to buy coaches and themselves questionable gifts, including cigars, a bottle of wine, a $100 gift card, and a gold necklace.

The club also charged players $600 “operational” fees in 2022 and 2023, the Comptroller’s release stated, which school support organizations are not allowed to do as fees must be accounted for by the school and deposited into the school’s bank account.

The Comptroller released a separate investigation into Farragut High School’s band on Sept. 13 as well.

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