Former Clarksville-Montgomery Schools employee indicted for theft

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Shay Patterson, a former maintenance employee with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System (CMCSS).

According to a release from the Comptroller’s office, the investigation began after school system officials reported questionable transactions to the Comptroller’s Office that occurred between March 2018 and May 2018.

“Last May, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System auditors became aware of 31 questionable charges made by Shay William Patterson on a system procurement card between March and May of 2018,” CMCSS spokesperson Elise Shelton told ClarksvilleNow.com in a statement. “After an investigation by the School System, the employee reimbursed the system for the $1,896.30 he charged to the card. He was terminated on May 17, 2018 as a light equipment operator and groundskeeper. Following state law, the system turned its investigation report and actions over to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office and the District Attorney’s office in May.”

Investigators determined that Patterson stole at least $1,750 from the school system by making personal purchases with his school system-issued procurement card. These personal purchases included materials for a private remodeling project, fuel, cigarettes, personal auto insurance, and a driver license renewal.

Patterson also inappropriately used the school system’s tax-exempt status while purchasing remodeling supplies. He was not charged sales tax on this purchase.

In May 2018, Patterson paid a total of $1,750 to the school system. He admitted to Comptroller investigators that he used the procurement card as a loan because he was in a temporary financial hardship. His employment was terminated on May 17, 2018.

In December 2018, Shay Patterson was indicted by the Montgomery County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $1,000, and one count of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.

To view the investigation online, go to: http://www.comptroller.tn.gov/ia/