NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A former Department of Human Services worker has been indicted for misconduct after he allegedly tried to exchange sex for food stamps.
Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Alfred Awonuga has been charged with six counts of official misconduct and one count of attempted official misconduct.
Awonuga allegedly used his position as an eligibility counselor to try to get participants in the state’s food assistance program to have sex with him in exchange for food benefits.
The TBI began investigating Awonuga back in March at the request of District Attorney Glenn Funk.
According to investigators, Awonuga got benefits for one applicant, who was not eligible for them, in an attempt to get the woman to have sex with him.
When she declined, the TBI said Awonuga terminated her benefits. He later reached out to her and allegedly said he could help get them reinstated, while continuing to pursue a sexual relationship with her.
The agency later terminated his employment.
The 48-year-old was arrested and booked into the Davidson County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
