News release from state Comptroller’s Office
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office details a list of offenses that led to theft and misconduct charges against Mr. Ashley Jordan, the former Director of Technology in the Crockett County School Department. The investigation was completed in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Investigators revealed that Jordan received kickbacks from his former private sector employer in exchange for steering more than $1 million of school technology business to Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) and Technology Associates (TA), which were companies owned by his former private sector employer. These kickbacks included high-end cookware, Waterford crystal, a $7,000 Rolex watch, Vera Bradley bags, a Garmin GPS system, flat screen televisions, an air conditioning unit for a bus, St. Louis Cardinals baseball tickets and jewelry. Mr. Jordan valued these goods between $35,000 and $40,000.
Investigators found that Mr. Jordan falsified bids and quotes, created fake invoices, and forged a signature in an effort to steer school business to his former private sector employer.
The investigation also revealed that Mr. Jordan stole at least $5,923 by falsifying an invoice from ICS. Mr. Jordan also misappropriated $5,451 by keeping seven school computers and other supplies at his home.
Mr. Jordan admitted to investigators that he received kickbacks, falsified bids and invoices, used school equipment and supplies to perform work on his personal business during school hours, and stole from the Crockett County School Department. This resulted in questioned costs totaling $1,089,820 from E-Rate funding, and other computer technology purchases made by the school department totaling $372,455.
Ashley Jordan resigned from the School Department on July 23, 2014. He was indicted by the Crockett County Grand Jury on July 20, 2015 on charges of theft over $10,000, tampering with evidence, and official misconduct.
“Our investigators identified that Mr. Jordan was able to make purchases without following proper school procedures,” said Comptroller Justin P. Wilson. “Our auditors also reported purchasing deficiencies in the Crockett County School Department in 2011, 2013, and 2014. School leaders must take steps to ensure compliance.”
