Appalachian Electric Cooperative Employee Indicted

A former Appalachian Electric Cooperative employee has been indicted for theft. According to the TBI, In February 2024, at the request of 4th Judicial District Attorney Jimmy Dunn’s office, TBI agents began investigating allegations involving William Robert Gass. During the course of their investigation, agents discovered that between October 2022 and September 2023, while serving as the accounting director for the Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC), Gass used Applachian Electric bank accounts to pay personal debts and expenses.

This week, the Jefferson County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging William Gass with Theft over $10,000 and Official Misconduct. On Thursday, Gass turned himself in at the Jefferson County jail in Dandridge. His bond was set at $5,000.

The Appalachian Electric Cooperative serves parts of five counties in East Tennessee, including Jefferson, Grainger, Hamblen, Sevier and Hawkins.