Judge Mad Over Uncollected Fines

There’s a rumble in Tennessee between a judge and a county clerk over uncollected fines and a collection agency.

Lenoir City Judge Terry Vann wants to audit municipal court financial records.  He alleges that the city clerk, Debbie Cook, isn’t referring outstanding debts to a collection agency, Maryville Collection Service.  The court has $347,889 in outstanding collections – primarily traffic tickets dating from as far back as 1998.

Judge Vann’s solution?  Fire Cook.

Cook’s response?  “This is the first I’ve heard about it.  He’s never discussed it with me.”

A few years ago, Vann asked council to hire a collection agency to pursue outstanding fines and costs.

He said the council chose Maryville Collection Service. Cook said she does not recall an agency being chosen or Mayor Matt Brookshire signing a contract.  In fact, Cook alleges that no collection agency has ever contacted her directly.

Doug Hawkins, outside sales representative for Maryville Collection Service, told the News Sentinel that he first spoke with someone at the Lenoir City Hall two or three years ago. "I followed up four to five different times, but I never did the business," he said.

In the meantime, Cook has said she will not resign.  As an elected official, she says, only the voters could replace her as clerk.