Lack Of Cooperation From Employees Not Normal

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office said the lack of cooperation from employees of the Overton/Pickett Emergency Communications District complicated its investigation.

Questionable expenditures of just under $85,000 came to light Tuesday when the Comptroller’s office released its report on the 911 system.

“We tried to interview most of the full-time staff members to find out whether or not some of these questionable expenditures were legitimate or not,” Public Information Officer John Dunn said. “But most of those employees declined to meet with our investigators. That made our job difficult.”

When asked if that lack of cooperation was common, Dunn said the office mostly gets “good cooperation.”

“This was a bit unusual,” Dunn said.

Dunn said the investigation began several months ago. He would not specify how investigators came to look into the expenditures, which included food, equipment and other items. The 911 District does complete an annual audit and the comptroller’s office receives that audit.

In several instances, the Tuesday report said the Overton/Picket 911 Board should have exercised more direction over the organization and its director, Chris Masiongale.

“Oversight is important and district board members must play a role in ensuring accountability,” Dunn said. “This includes things like discussing and approving all the major spending that happens, reviewing credit-card transactions. When those things don’t occur, the possibility for questionable activities increases.”

Dunn said the Comptroller’s office will have no further role in the issue. The office turned over the matter to the district attorney’s office.