Sumner County sheriff J-D Vandercook and his brother Jerry were arrested by federal agents (today/yesterday) after fraud indictments were handed down by a grand jury.
Sheriff Vandercook allegedly funneled more than 73-thousand dollars to his brother to build a maintenance garage in Gallatin last spring. The indictments result from a plot to conceal the fact that the sheriff had hired his brother.
Last summer a state audit disclosed purchasing irregularities in the Sumner County Sheriff Department’s office which included the project in question.
FBI Special Agent My Harrison says state and federal law enforcement is taking special measures to curtail civil service corruption.
“We still have those public officials that feel that what they do in the dark will not come to the light. They have the mistaken impression that no one can see or hear what they do. But I’m here to tell you, TBI and FBI are committed to public corruption.”
J-D Vandercook pled not guilty (this morning/yesterday) to charges of mail and wire fraud, money laundering and misapplication of funds. His brother Jerry faces the same charges, but his arraignment has been delayed.
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