Clay County Highway Superintendent charged with stealing more than 16,000 gallons of fuel

CLAY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The man elected to manage Clay County roads has been indicted after an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.

According to a release, comptroller’s investigators determined Highway Superintendent Jason Browning misappropriated at least $56,971.60 by using 16,200 gallons of department-purchased fuel for his personal transportation business.

The Comptroller’s Office said Browning admitted that he used an estimated 150 gallons of department fuel each week from July 2021 through July 2023 to fuel his personal 2007 Peterbilt 379 semi-truck. Browning used the truck as part of his private trucking business, Browning Trucking. He sold the 2007 Peterbilt in July 2023, per the release.

By using the department-purchased fuel for his personal business, the Comptroller’s Office said it forced the department to operate on and have less fuel on reserve than believed by department employees.

“His actions put the department at risk of having insufficient supplies in case of a natural disaster or large project,” the office said in the release.

Browning was indicted this month by the Clay County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $10,000 and three counts of official misconduct.

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

The Tennessee Attorneys General Conference is serving as Pro Tem in this matter, per the Comptroller’s Office.

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