Gibson County Sheriff Paul Thomas in Tennessee has been indicted on 22 charges including official misconduct, theft, forgery, and computer crimes related to exploiting inmate labor. According to the Tennessee Comptroller, Thomas profited from businesses he owned that employed inmates and housed some in a transitional home instead of the jail, without proper disclosures or permissions. He allegedly directed over $1.4 million in inmate wages to these businesses and misrepresented inmate locations to the state, resulting in over $500,000 in improper state reimbursements. Thomas, who has turned himself in and is currently out on bond, asserts his innocence and is awaiting his trial.
See "Tennessee sheriff indicted for profiting from inmate labor, misusing funds ", Adrian Sainz , ABC News, June 13, 2024