Fuel Theft: Clay County Superintendent Admits to Stealing Diesel for Two Years

Clay County Highway Superintendent Faces Fuel Theft Charges

Jason Browning Accused of Taking 16,200 Gallons of Diesel for His Own Use

The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has completed an investigation into Jason Browning, the elected Clay County Highway Superintendent. Browning has been charged with misusing $56,971.60 worth of diesel fuel, which he took from the county for his personal business. This fuel, totaling 16,200 gallons, was supposed to be used for the Clay County Highway Department.

Fuel Taken for Personal Business

Investigators found that Browning took around 150 gallons of diesel fuel each week from July 2021 to July 2023. He admitted to using the fuel for his personal trucking business, Browning Trucking. Browning used the diesel to power his 2007 Peterbilt 379 semi-truck, which was used to haul raw milk between Tennessee and Kentucky. He sold the truck in July 2023.

To transport the fuel, Browning loaded it into a tank on his department-issued pickup truck. He then drove the fuel from the county’s storage tanks to his semi-truck. At least once, Browning parked his semi-truck at the highway department to refuel it and clean it.

Effect on the Highway Department

Browning’s actions didn’t just take money from the county. They also put the highway department at risk. The department depends on fuel to keep Clay County’s roads and bridges in good shape. It also needs fuel reserves for emergencies, such as floods or major road projects. By taking fuel for his own use, Browning left the department with less fuel than it thought it had, creating risks for the county.

The investigation showed that the department didn’t have a good system for keeping track of its fuel. The department had diesel and gasoline tanks on site but didn’t keep accurate records of how much fuel was bought, used, and stored. A notebook was put at the pumps in March 2023 for employees to log fuel usage, but the department never checked the logs against the amount of fuel purchased. This lack of oversight made it easier for Browning to take fuel without getting caught.

Legal Consequences of the Fuel Theft

In September 2024, the Clay County Grand Jury indicted Jason Browning. He faces one count of theft of property over $10,000 and three counts of official misconduct. The charges were brought after the grand jury looked at the results of the Tennessee Comptroller’s investigation. Because of a conflict of interest, the local district attorney general stepped aside, and the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference is handling the case.

Comptroller’s Advice to Avoid Future Issues

Tennessee Comptroller Jason E. Mumpower offered advice to help prevent future problems. “The Clay County Highway Department should maintain inventory records documenting the receipt, usage, and storage of fuel,” Mumpower said. He emphasized that checking how much fuel is purchased against how much is used would help spot any misuse early.

The investigation also found that the department didn’t track its employees’ work hours properly. Employees weren’t required to submit time sheets, making it hard to confirm how many hours they worked. Without accurate time records, the department can’t be sure if employees are being paid correctly, which raises the risk of future problems.