TDOS Moves to Terminate Special Agent David Brown
Thursday, October 15, 2009 | 06:31am
Due Process Letter Served Following OPR Investigation
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) served Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge David Brown with a “minimum due process” letter for termination on Thursday, October 15, 2009, following an internal investigation into misuse of funds within the department’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) East Tennessee Region in Morristown.
THP Colonel Mike Walker recommended to Safety Commissioner Dave Mitchell that Agent Brown be terminated for gross misconduct and conduct unbecoming as disciplinary action following the internal investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). The investigation revealed that Agent Brown destroyed evidence and was not truthful to investigators during the on-going investigation. The recommendation for termination is based upon eight violations of Department of Human Resources rules and regulations and Department of Safety General Orders.
The internal investigation began after a joint Staff Inspection and Internal Audit of the CID East Region during the week of May 11, 2009, which included an extensive review of records, reports, files, vehicle seizures and the usage of confidential funds. At that time, irregularities were discovered that centered on the usage of confidential funds.
Following the preliminary findings of the Staff Inspection and Internal Audit, Agent Brown and Special Agent-in-Charge Billy Grooms were advised that discrepancies were discovered pertaining to the use of confidential funds. Neither Agent Brown nor Agent Grooms were able to provide a plausible explanation regarding confidential funds usage. The following is a chronology of the investigation:
- On Friday, July 24, 2009, Assistant Special Agent Brown was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.
- Special Agent-in-Charge Billy Grooms resigned in lieu of termination, Friday, July 24, 2009, during an interview in which he revealed that he bought a receipt book and fraudulently created receipts and falsified Funds Expended Reports.
- Agent Brown admitted that he had not been truthful to THP investigators in prior interviews. He acknowledged that he had personally completed and signed a false name to a 2008 receipt and destroyed the evidence.
A complete report of the OPR investigation will be turned over to the appropriate District Attorney for review at the conclusion of the criminal investigation. Agent Brown, 56, is a 23-year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol and was commissioned with the THP in 1986.
CID investigates, gathers evidence, and assists federal, state and local law enforcement, when requested per T.C.A. 4-7-401 to include vehicular homicides and assaults, criminal matters, auto theft, identity theft and insurance fraud. The Internal Audit Division conducts audits and reviews of all levels of management to evaluate internal controls and to determine compliance with policy and procedures, while the Staff Inspections Unit reviews all organizational components to ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures as well as national accreditation standards.
As a result of the internal investigation, CID Special Agent-in-Charge Billy Grooms resigned in lieu of termination, Friday, July 24, 2009. Grooms, 55, was a 29-year veteran of the Tennessee Highway Patrol who was commissioned with the THP in 1980.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.TN.Gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.