Subject also misappropriated funds from Minor Hill Utility District

Two investigative reports from the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office have led to the indictment of Ashley Stogner, a former recorder for the City of Minor Hill in Giles County. Stogner also worked as a bookkeeper for the Minor Hill Utility District.

Investigators determined that Stogner misappropriated city funds totaling at least $105,342.52 between August 2021 and September 2024.

Stogner issued unauthorized payroll checks to herself ($67,891.77); made payments from the city’s PayPal account to her personal PayPal account ($33,586.78); misappropriated city cash collections ($3,717.50), and misappropriated Minor Hill Public Library donations ($146.47).

In addition to her misappropriation, Stogner also forged the mayor’s signature on 326 city checks, including 207 of her own paychecks.

Investigators further determined that, while working as the bookkeeper for the Minor Hill Utility District, Stogner misappropriated an additional $1,943.37 by using district funds to pay off a personal court judgment in Giles County General Sessions Court. Instead of properly deducting the required garnishments from her wages, she prepared checks drawn on the district’s account.

Based upon this investigation, in July 2025, The Giles County Grand Jury indicted Ashley Stogner on nine separate counts including theft of property, forgery, official misconduct, and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. The complete list of charges can be viewed in the City of Minor Hill investigative report.

“These cases should serve as a wake-up call for all government entities to strengthen their oversight, enforce clear policies, and ensure that no single employee has unchecked control over financial processes,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “The failure to implement financial safeguards allowed a significant amount of public money to be misappropriated.”

To view the investigative reports, go here for the Minor Hill Utility District report., go here for Minor City Hill Report