Gibson County Sheriff Paul Thomas, 52, has been indicted on more than a dozen official misconduct charges in two Tennessee counties. Thomas was arrested and booked on Wednesday in Nashville on charges including forgery, computer crimes, and theft. The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office conducted an investigation revealing that Thomas profited from the labor and care of inmates by creating three for-profit businesses under the Alliance Group. These businesses provided staffing assistance, housing for inmates, and transportation for work release inmates. Thomas directed over $1.4 million in inmate wage fees to benefit the Alliance Group from February 2020 through October 2022. The indictment also accuses Thomas of failing to properly guard inmates to prevent escapes. Thomas failed to disclose his ownership interest in Alliance in his annual filings with the Tennessee Ethics Commission. The investigation identified deficiencies within the Sheriff’s Office that allowed this scheme to take place. At least 170 inmates in Thomas’ custody were employed by the Alliance staffing agency during the investigation. The charges against Thomas amount to a total of 22 counts across both counties. The case is ongoing, and Thomas faces legal consequences for his alleged actions.
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Sheriff indicted for financial misconduct involving inmate labor and funds
