Hamilton County schools official did rideshare, food delivery in school vehicle
(The Center Square) – The former transportation director for Hamilton County schools has been charged with theft, forgery, misconduct and other charges after he was accused of using a school vehicle and making deliveries for Uber Eats and Door Dash along with Rideshare services with Uber and Lyft while being paid by the school district to work.
David B. Eaves was indicted on charges of theft over $10,000, forgery over $10,000, violation of the Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act of 2003 over $10,000, destruction of and tampering with government records and official misconduct.
An investigation from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office found Eaves allegedly spent nearly 24,000 minutes working for the services while being paid by the district, worth more than $18,000.
Eaves is accused of performing work for the food delivery or rideshare services on 933 occasions during work hours, working for the equivalent of 399 hour or 11 weeks while being paid by the district.
Eaves admitted to using a work-assigned vehicle for eight months to make deliveries but the investigation found he allegedly began making the deliveries on the first day he was employed March 20, 2017.
Eaves was suspended after he admitted to using the work-assigned vehicle for deliveries and was put on unpaid administrative leave May 19, 2022. He then requested early retirement and the school district approved the request July 1, 2022.
Eaves is also accused of making $1,475.91 in questionable fuel purchases using school district funds while performing the deliveries.
The Comptroller’s report found the school district had inadequate oversight of Eaves’ duties and fuel use.
“Hamilton County Schools officials must ensure they provide adequate oversight of employees and the department’s fuel card usage,” Comptroller Jason Mumpower said. “Hamilton County Schools should reconcile fuel purchases on a monthly basis and consider requiring employees to document where they traveled.”
Eaves was paid $7,682.68 for accumulated vacation and sick leave when his retirement request was granted.
