Hamblen trustee accused of stealing $89K in county cash

A trustee based in Morristown is facing 45 criminal counts following a state investigation into missing funds.

A report from the Tennessee Comptroller’s office says Hamblen County trustee John Baskette collected more than $89,000 in county funds and hid the cash in different parts of his office. Investigators said Baskette stole the money to pay debts for personal items including farm equipment.