Former Rhea County Executive Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison For COVID-19 Relief Fraud

Former Rhea County Executive George Thacker, age 59, has been sentenced to 33 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud charges. The government says Thacker took over $650,000 in COVID-19 relief funds and illegally invested the money into a personal Coinbase account.  As part of the loan application process, the money was supposed to be used for specific business-related purposes such as paying Thacker Corporation’s rent and continuing to pay his employees’ salaries. Once released from prison, Mr. Thacker will be on supervised probation for 3 years.   Thacker has 60 days from the October 6^th sentencing date to turn himself in to authorities.  The judge also ruled that Thacker pay a $15,000 fine is required to pay back the $665,600 in restitution.