Those with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Chief Deputy of Administration Joe Russell has been fired.
They released information Thursday saying he had been terminated and his services were no longer required. Read the termination letter by clicking here.
A completed review released Wednesday found Rutherford County Sheriff Robert Arnold broke numerous laws and policies, according to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.
In the review, they confirmed many of the issues involved Arnold and Russell.
Both men have been facing a 14-count federal indictment.
Authorities said the laws were violated by the two concealing their relationship with JailCigs.
JailCigs, based in Marietta, Georgia, has sold e-cigarettes to inmates, including at the Rutherford County Jail.
Officials said while Arnold failed to disclose his conflict of interest, he and his wife received a combined $66,790 from the company. That money was made from December 2013 through April 2015.
During that same time, Russell received $52,234.41 from JailCigs.
Those with the Comptroller’s Office added the two men had also violated county purchasing policies. Officials said they circumvented the process and failed to solicit bids.
