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Report Fraud, Waste and Abuse
Date Published
August 30, 2016
News Type
Press Release
Link to Original
USAO, Middle District of Tennessee

(Source: USAO, TN) Wendy Askins, 55, of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Aleta A. Trauger, to two counts of theft from a federally-funded entity, announced David Rivera, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. At the time of the offenses, Askins was the Executive Director for the Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD), and also oversaw the daily operations of the Cumberland Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) and the Cumberland Area Investment Corporation (CAIC). UCDD and its related organizations received thousands of dollars annually in federal funds during the time Askins led UCDD.

During the plea hearing, Askins admitted that she used UCDD and CRDC funds to purchase a property she named Living the Dream.  Living the Dream was supposed to serve as an assisted living facility for senior citizens.  Shortly after purchasing the home, Askins and UCDD Deputy Director Larry Webb set up a company called L.A. Management to operate...