Correction Closes Criminal Case on Former TSEA President

The Tennessee Department of Correction has closed its case against the former president of the State Employees Association. Zoyle Jones lost his job as union president earlier this year after Correction officials discovered he double-dipped for travel reimbursement.

A total of nearly $2,800 was in question. Zoyle Jones doesn’t deny he charged both the state and the union for the travel. Correction Commissioner George Little said it was as serious violation of state travel regulations and might even be a criminal matter.

But a letter from Davidson County District Attorney Torry Johnson, who investigated the claims, says no law or regulation prohibits reimbursement from the state and a private entity for the same trip. And Johnson writes there’s no proof Jones wasn’t conducting business on these trips for both the state and the employees association. Plus, his state supervisor signed off on each request.

The employees union required Jones to pay back the travel fees. He’s filed two lawsuits to clear his reputation.

See the letter from Torry Johnson.

UPDATE:
A letter dated February 9th from the Department of Correction says the total sum in question from the department is $2,770.89. However the amount in question reimbursed by TSEA is just $176.18. Jones’ attorney says that means the $176.18 is the only overlap.