A judge on Friday ordered a “ghost employee” of the Knox County Trustee’s Office to serve 30 days in jail for stealing nearly $200,000 from taxpayers, reports the News Sentinel.
Knox County Criminal Court Judge Steve Sword cited ongoing corruption in county government.
“I certainly think the public is watching,” Sword said.
Sword sentenced Delbert Morgan to a total of eights years. After serving 30 days in the jail, the remainder will be served on probation.
Defense attorney Jeff Daniel said after the hearing that Morgan likely would not file an appeal and would ask the judge to set a date certain for him to serve his time.
Although Morgan has continued to maintain his innocence “I respect the court. I respect the verdict. I take full responsibility.”
Jurors last August spent more than seven hours deliberating before deeming Morgan, 58, guilty of felony theft.
The conviction carried a penalty range of eight to 12 years, but Morgan, who had no criminal history, qualified for probation and perhaps judicial diversion. Diversion would keep the conviction off his record if he stays on the straight and narrow during a probationary period.
Morgan was accused of stealing $200,000 by collecting pay and benefits he did not earn. Prosecutors alleged he was a ghost employee put on the payroll by his college buddy, former Trustee Mike Lowe, as a favor.