Former Morristown Police Sergeant Indicted for Theft

A special investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has found that former Morristown Police Sgt. Michael Hurt failed to promptly turn over at least $6,000 in cash he collected while working for the police department. The investigation was completed in conjunction with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

During 2014 and 2015, Sgt. Hurt was responsible for returning vehicles seized by the police department to owners or lienholders. Frequently, vehicle owners were required to pay the department a cash settlement as well as towing and storage fees. These payments were collected by Sgt. Hurt.

During an interview with investigators, Sgt. Hurt turned over $5,500 in cash that he claimed he had been holding in his police vehicle for as long as 35 days. The remaining $500 was not in Sgt. Hurt’s vehicle.

In at least one instance, Sgt. Hurt acknowledged that he “renegotiated” and reduced the cash settlement ordered by the Department of Safety from $5,000 down to $1,500. Sgt. Hurt also altered records, failed to record or receipt the majority of the cash, and made a false entry in police department records in an apparent attempt to conceal his activities.

On July 1, 2015, Michael Hurt was indicted by the Hamblen County Grand Jury on two counts of theft over $1,000, one count of theft under $500, and one count of official misconduct.

“I find it particularly troublesome when an officer of the law chooses to engage in dishonest activity,” Comptroller Justin P. Wilson said. “It is important that police departments and other government entities understand the risks associated with handling cash in day-to-day operations.”

To view the special investigation online, go to: http://www.comptroller.tn.gov/ia/.

If you suspect fraud, waste or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at (800) 232-5454, or file a report online at: www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline. Follow on twitter: @TNCOT