Former Recovery Courts Director Authorized Improper Rent Assistance
$8,600 in rental assistance authorized for participant living with the director
An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has found that Julie Odom, the former director of the 13th Judicial District Recovery Courts, improperly authorized rent assistance and submitted falsified documents involving a participant with whom she resided. The recovery courts serve the seven counties of the 13th Judicial District and provide treatment and supervision for non-violent felony offenders with substance abuse issues. The investigation began after a board member identified and reported questionable expenditures.
Investigators determined Odom approved at least $8,600 in rent assistance for a participant living with her. This amount included $7,675 paid directly to the participant and $925 paid to a landlord on the participant’s behalf. None of the locations involved were designated as sober living homes, even though program policy allows rent assistance only for licensed sober living facilities that meet specific criteria.
The investigation also found that Odom submitted a falsified invoice, receipt, and a rental agreement to the Putnam County Mayor’s Office to support these payments. She used a recovery courts receipt book to create a false landlord receipt and altered a rental agreement by replacing her own name with the participant’s name so that the participant could receive assistance and reimbursement.
Julie Ann Odom resigned her position on October 28, 2024. Based upon this investigation, the Putnam County Grand Jury indicted her in January 2026 on three counts of official misconduct, one count of theft over $2,500, one count of criminal simulation, and two counts of forgery.
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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