LAWRENCE COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A woman has been indicted on a forgery charge after she allegedly falsified more than $36,000 worth of mileage reimbursements to Lawrence County Schools.
According to the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, the Lawrence County School System (LCSS) entered a contract with Rhonda Brown in 2018 for her child to attend another school that was “more appropriately suited for the child’s educational needs.”
Officials said the contract stated that the school system would pay tuition to the other school and also reimburse Brown for mileage for transportation to and from the school.
Brown reportedly submitted falsified mileage reimbursement forms to LCSS, totaling $36,473, from March 2023 through October 2024.
She allegedly claimed reimbursements for 350 more days even though her child was taken to school by the Lawrence County Senior Center bus. In addition to those claims, officials said she also submitted reimbursement requests for four days when her child was absent from school.
“School officials must ensure they properly monitor and review their reimbursement process,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “This includes confirming the accuracy of the mileage reimbursement forms and paying the correct reimbursement rate based upon its contract.”
Based on the investigation, the Lawrence County Grand Jury indicted Brown on one count of forgery of $10,000 to $60,0000.
