He can't really resign, he really doesn't have anywhere to go. In my opinion, he's got some credibility concerns, questionable characteristics and a potentially compromised capability to carry out these duties, such that he's not going to resign, he'll hunker down and slug it out just like Ragsdale did, waiting for the storm to pass and for the public to move on to something else, watch another scandal unfold, make it to football season and the Vols and Lane Kiffen will be the headlines.

In my opinion, when our public officials take no action and implicitly or tacitly approve such improper conduct as demonstrated by Ragsdale, Lockett, those behind the Chad Faulkner fiasco, the situation in the Trustees office, the P-card, community grant dealings and on and on, they create an environment of unaccountability, such that time and time again people attempt rank shennanigans without fear of reprisal or punishment, only fessing up and asking for forgiveness and grace only when caught.

The problems and very layered and in my opinion a compromised daily newspaper, a disinterested district attorney, and an entrenched beaurocracy in local government allow this culture of ongoing attempts to circumvent officials necessary duties to the public continue, all to the detriment of the government's essential functions, creating additional costs to the local taxpayers and continually eroding the community's standards for honesty, integrity, and fair dealing.

We used to laugh at the communities out in the sticks up in Newport, Sneedville, Bulls Gap, and Del Rio, our local government and our local media should really sit in judgment on our disfunctional local government and look hard at why our elected officials have such a hard time explaining what is right and what is wrong.

Saw Tommy Schumpert at Litton's tonight. Tommy served four years as Trustee and eight as County Executive w/o a hint of scandal. Now he's volunteering his time to fund-raise for parks.

Dammit. Politicians should demonstrate ethical behavior and be leaders. I'm pretty sorry that I called Tommy a "turtle" all those years ... even though he IS slow. - s.

KNS now reporting Lockett's embezzlement covered a "period of years" through 2008. That means when he was running for office.

Geez.

Does anyone else wonder why Pinkston, Strickland, Leuthold, Brown and Broyles, et al haven't called for Lockett to resign?

(1) Either they conclude there is nothing wrong with stealing from your employer, or that even if it IS wrong, it's OK to be law director after getting caught at such a "minor offense."

(2) Or they are afraid of what skeletons reside in their own closets that might be awakened if they begin calling for people to resign based on ethical concerns.

I am afraid that number 1 is the explanation for most, if not all of them.

KNS: Knox County Law Director Lockett used funds transfer to get car

Holt said Lockett could have requested the Impala directly through the purchasing department but instead, "Mr. Lockett did an internal transfer of funds from (the Law Department's) budget to the Sheriff Office's budget."

"A brief lapse" is a line I've never believed in. It usually refers to what turns out to be a pattern of deceit.

"The sick child" line, when used as the first excuse, always seems repugnant. I know a lot of sick people and parents with sick children who make a lot less than a lawyer, and they're not breaking laws to pay for things.

Pure speculation here, but I'd lay odds that his financial problems are such that resigning now means bankruptcy. So, he hunkers down until the Board of Professional Responsibility strips his license, hoping to have enough time to dig his way out. I sense another NYT piece coming on about us good old boys in Knoxvegas.

Larry Van Guilder

But, there had to have been a better way to raise money to cover his debts than stealing from his employer. He should have gone to his employer and told them what troubles he was having, they maybe could have arranged a short-term loan for him, especially if he was a valued member of their firm. Or he could have explored getting a medical need loan from a bank. There are ways to finance medical needs. The idea that he HAD to steal is ridiculous, but if his former employer doesn't wish to file charges against him that is their right I guess. But that does NOT mean that the citizens of Knox County should overlook this behavior, it is symptomatic of a larger issue with ethics and accountability.

The man should resign now. I know that seems harsh, but there are consequences that must be paid; if you or I had done this we would have to face those consequences...the fact that he is well-known, or -liked, or is a public figure does not excuse his behavior one whit. The law must apply equally to us all or it applies to NONE of us. Do we really want to live in that kind of anarchy?

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"You can't fix stupid..." ~ Ron White"
"I never said I wasn't a brat..." ~ Talidapali

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