Photo: Front of the McNairy County Courthouse, located at 170 W. Court Avenue (State Route 15) in Selmer, Tennessee Photo Credit: Nyttend / Public Domain
By John Dunn –
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictments of Byron and Stephanie Maxedon. Byron Maxedon served as the McNairy County Circuit Court Clerk until he resigned on December 13, 2021. His spouse, Stephanie Maxedon, worked as deputy court clerk from October 14, 2019 through April 20, 2020.
Investigators determined that Stephanie Maxedon received at least $3,163.62 in wages for time that she did not work. Byron Maxedon was aware that 11 of Stephanie Maxedon’s 14 time sheets included time that she did not work. In fact, investigators found that Byron Maxedon completed and falsified four of his wife’s time sheets on her behalf.
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Of the 1,040 total hours reported on Stephanie Maxedon’s time sheets, she was not working approximately 30 percent of the time.
As a result of her fraudulent time reports, at least $1,434.77 in county provided benefits were also paid on Stephanie Maxedon’s behalf.
In February 2022, Bryon and Stephanie Maxedon were both indicted by the McNairy County Grand Jury on one count of theft over $2,500, one count of official misconduct, and one count of false entries in governmental records.
“Investigators discovered several problems within the circuit court clerk’s office,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “These included a failure to review time sheets for accuracy and a lack of policies and procedures regarding the timekeeping process. I encourage the new clerk to strengthen oversight and internal controls.”
To view the investigative report, go to: https://comptroller.tn.gov/office-functions/investigations/find.html
If you suspect fraud, waste, or abuse of public money in Tennessee, call the Comptroller’s toll-free hotline at 800.232.5454, or file a report online at: tncot.cc/fraud.
About the Author: John Dunn is the Director of Communications for the office of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.
