Scotts Hill Elementary Principal and Teacher Indicted
School is located in Henderson County
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictments of Brian Lane and Tiffany Koelsch, who are employed at Scotts Hill Elementary School in Henderson County. The investigation began after Henderson County School System officials reported time reporting inconsistencies.
Investigators determined that Koelsch, who is a teacher at the school, received $7,988.50 in wages and benefits that she did not earn.
Koelsch was paid for working 358 hours at an after-school program where she never performed work. She was also paid for working 50 hours that she did not work in a school tutoring program.
Scotts Hill Elementary School principal Brian Lane knowingly authorized and submitted 37 falsified timesheets for Koelsch to improperly receive wages.
Investigators also discovered that Lane altered Google calendars after the Comptroller’s Office initiated its investigation in an attempt to make it appear that Koelsch was working for the after-school program where she never performed work.
Based upon this investigation, in April 2024, the Henderson County Grand Jury indicted Tiffany Koelsch on one count of theft of property over $2,500, one count of destruction of and tampering with governmental records, and one count of official misconduct. Brian Lane was indicted on one count of theft of property over $2,500, one count of computer crimes, one count of tampering with or fabricating evidence, one count of destruction of or tampering with governmental records, and one count of official misconduct.
“School officials must require timesheets to be submitted and signed by staff before they process payroll,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “Each timesheet should be signed by the employee and their supervisor to certify that the information is accurate, which will help reduce the risk of fraud, waste, or abuse.”
To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports. To view a map depicting Comptroller investigations, go to tncot.cc/mappinginvestigations
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. Follow us on X/Twitter @TNCOT and Instagram @tncot
Media contact: John Dunn, Director of Communications, 615.401.7755 or john.dunn@cot.tn.gov
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