Red Boiling Springs, TN – In a shocking case of embezzlement, Wendy Askins, 55, former Executive Director of the Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD), was sentenced to 18 months in prison for misusing the organization’s funds.
U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger handed down the sentence, which includes two years of supervised release, and ordered Askins to pay $233,000 in restitution. The sentence was rendered on [date] and marks the culmination of a lengthy investigation.
Askins was previously charged in a 12-count superseding indictment for conspiracy, bank fraud, embezzlement, and making false statements. She pleaded guilty on August 30, 2016, to theft of Federal program funds, acknowledging her role in the scheme.
The fraudulent scheme was carried out from March 2010 through February 2012, during which Askins purchased a property outside of Cookeville, Tennessee, which she named ‘Living the Dream.’ The property was intended to serve as an assisted living facility for senior citizens, but Askins and her daughter made luxurious upgrades to their residential wings, using funds from UCDD and its sister agencies.
Askins also established a company called L.A. Management to operate the senior living facility, but instead used the funds to further her own interests. To conceal her wrongdoing, she directed employees to falsify the minutes of the board of director’s meetings and lied about the circumstances of the fake board minutes.
Co-defendant Larry Webb, who previously pleaded guilty on August 17, 2015, is scheduled to be sentenced on November 14, 2016. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General; the U.S. Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General.
The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie N. Toussaint and William F. Abely. Askins’ sentence serves as a stern warning to those who would seek to exploit public funds for personal gain.
Askins’ case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public institutions. The UCDD, which received federal funding, was entrusted with the responsibility of providing essential services to the community. Instead, Askins and her accomplices used the funds for their own enrichment, leaving a trail of financial devastation in their wake.
The investigation and subsequent sentence reflect the serious consequences of embezzlement and public corruption. As the people of Tennessee demand accountability from their leaders, the Grimy Times will continue to uncover the truth and hold those responsible for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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