According to a press release from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office, an investigation has resulted in a criminal information being filed against Paul Cross for one count of theft over $10,000. Cross is the executive director of the Energy Efficient Schools Initiative (EESI) in Tennessee.
The EESI was established in 2008 with a one-time allotment of $90 million derived from excess lottery funds. Its purpose is to provide Tennessee’s public K-12 schools access to low-interest revolving loans that fund energy-efficient projects.
Investigators determined that Cross misappropriated at least $11,130 by failing to report leave when he was not working between 2021 and 2023.
Investigators also claim that Cross used his state-issued computer for personal reasons on numerous occasions.
On August 1, 2024, a criminal information was presented in Bedford County against Paul Cross on one count of theft over $10,000.
(According to the Department of Justice, an “information” is like an indictment but is presented by a public officer instead of a grand jury.)