The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, that a year-long investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation resulted in a 320-count indictment, and 10 people were arrested, including seven Anderson County residents, on charges of unlawfully filing liens and making false entries into records. (Photo courtesy TBI)
A recent 320-count indictment and the arrests of 10 people after a joint investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Knoxville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation highlight an ongoing problem with fraudulent liens, state officials said Friday. Seven of those arrested live in Anderson County.
“People are filing fraudulent liens with the Division of Business Services, which can ruin the lives of public officials,” according to the office of Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Luckily, Senate Bill 726/House Bill 535, currently before the General Assembly, would allow officials to permanently remove fraudulent liens from the filing record.”
The arrests on Wednesday send a clear message, the Secretary of Office said. (See our story on the indictments and arrests here.)
“Public officials as well as state and local government employees shouldn’t be harassed with fraudulent liens just for doing their jobs,” Hargett said. “We believe this will provide an expedited and uncomplicated remedy to this targeted abuse. Additionally, since legal costs associated with this process can be recovered under this legislation, fraudulent filers should think twice before they file.” [Read more…]
