The highway superintendent in Pickett County has admitted to misusing county resources.
Those with the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office learned through an investigation that Jimmy Cope directed county-purchased gravel and rock to be delivered to private property.
Authorities said Cope admitted to ordering the gravel and rock to be transported by county employees driving county trucks to be placed on multiple private properties in Pickett County.
According to interviews, as many as four loads of gravel were placed on private property each week at an estimated cost to the county of at least $13,205 annually.
According to statements Cope gave investigators, he never asked for votes and never received money in exchange for the gravel and rock.
“This activity raises questions about use of taxpayer-funded resources, and it could also place the county at risk,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “Using county equipment on private property could expose the county to potentially unlimited liability in the event that an injury or damage occurred as a result of this practice.”
Cope told officials he would provide county gravel to any Pickett County citizen who asked.
