Former TN Dept. of Revenue employee indicted for ‘double-dipping’ scheme
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller's Office has seen one former Tennessee Department of Revenue (TDOR) employee indicted for an alleged "double-dipping" scheme.
According to the Comptroller's Office, Jeffery Wadding, a former collections officer with the TDOR regional office in Jackson improperly received thousands of dollars in wages and benefits between 2022 and 2023.
The investigation reportedly began after TDOR officials reported suspected malfeasance to the Comptroller's Office.
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Investigators determined Wadding took home at least $34,131.47 in wages and employer benefits between June 15, 2022, and Oct. 6, 2023.
He was eligible and approved to work from his residence each day instead of being physically present in the department office, but TDOR officials discovered he wasn't actually working for the department during this time. Instead, he was reported working at the Prime Auto USA dealership instead of his approved remote worksite.
Investigators reportedly compared his department timesheets with his dealership timesheets and found 287 days with an overlap of claimed work time. He received compensation from both entities for the same hours, a practice called "double-dipping." The total misappropriated amount includes both unearned salary compensation and payroll benefits, according to the Comptroller's Office.
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Wadding reportedly admitted to investigators that he performed some work for the dealership while on the clock for TDOR. He was dismissed from the department effective Oct. 20, 2023.
Last month the Madison County Grand Jury indicted Wadding on one count of theft of property over $10,000, one count of destruction, tampering, or fabrication of a government record, and one count of official misconduct.
"The Department of Revenue should consider changes to its alternative workspace solutions policy to require that employees notify the department if their approved alternate worksite changes," said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. "The department should also verify the hours are being worked at the approved alternate worksite."
