A new investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Gibson County Sheriff Paul Thomas, who has served as Sheriff since 2014. According to a press release, Sheriff Thomas enriched himself and a group of investors by profiting from the labor and care of Gibson County and Tennessee Department of Correction inmates.
In 2020, Thomas and a group of local investors created three for-profit businesses known collectively as the Alliance Group. Thomas, who held a 20% ownership interest in Alliance, was prohibited by state law from profiting or benefiting from the labor of inmates. Investigators determined that Thomas directed over $1.4 million in inmate wage fees and deductions to profit the Alliance Group from February 2020 through October 2022.
Thomas received over $181,000 in compensation, payroll benefits, and legal representation services from Alliance. This money was derived from inmate labor the State Comptroller says.
Based upon this investigation, in May 2024, Paul Thomas was indicted by both the Davidson and Gibson County Grand Juries on a combined total of 22 counts. These indictments include counts of theft, forgery, computer crimes, and official misconduct.
On Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Gibson County Sheriff Paul Thomas, age 52, was arrested and booked at Nashville’s Downtown Detention Center.