TN Comptroller: Former Bean Station PD Chief of Police admits to theft allegations

The former Bean Station Police Department Chief of Police has pleaded guilty to theft charges following an investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.

Investigators say Stephen Kitts stole close to $2,000 from the department’s special revenue drug fund from Nov. of 2018 to Jan. of 2020, and used the money to pay personal bills. The Comptroller’s Office said Kitts also falsified police forms to indicate confidential drug buys which never happened. Kitts later admitted to the theft and resigned as police chief on February 11th, 2020.

He pled guilty to the theft charge last week in Grainger County court, and has since reimbursed the Town of Bean Station the money that was stolen.