An investigation by the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office has resulted in the indictment of Teresa Dillingham, a former probation officer with Supervisory Services, Inc. (SSI), after investigators determined she misappropriated at least $17,526.62 in court costs and fees collected from probationers.
Dillingham provided probation services to misdemeanor offenders in Carroll and Weakley counties. Between July 2023 and August 2024, she accepted payments from probationers but failed to remit them to the appropriate court clerks.
Dillingham concealed the misappropriation by falsely updating probationers’ records to indicate they had completed their supervision, even though their court payments had not been received by the courts. As a result, some probationers were burdened with unnecessary hardships, including duplicate court costs and fee payments and unwarranted violations.
In addition to the misappropriated funds, investigators identified $940 in questionable payments that were not remitted to the courts but could not be definitively traced to Dillingham’s personal use.
Dillingham resigned from SSI on August 6, 2024.
Based upon this investigation, in May 2025, the Carroll County Grand Jury indicted Teresa Suzanne Dillingham on one count of theft over $10,000, one count of official misconduct, and one count of forgery over $10,000.
“It’s vital that courts and their probation service providers maintain strong controls over how funds are collected and remitted,” said Comptroller Mumpower. “When payments are accepted without issuing receipts, and deposits are delayed, the opportunity for fraud increases.”
To view the investigative report, go to tncot.cc/doireports.
