School system pays employee not to show up for work - for 2 years!

Look, this is unheard of and there's something going on. Course no one wants to talk. But why the *#@$ is the school system paying an employee to sit at home for more than two years and then hiding behind HIPPA?

Bull! You get four weeks of unpaid leave. That's it. Someone needs to come up with a real explanation about why taxpayer coin is covering this.

Here's part of the story:

A Knox County school system employee has now earned more money on administrative leave than she did when she actually showed up for work.

School officials confirmed to WBIR 10News that Tina Needham, an administrative secretary in the Central Office on the third floor of the Andrew Johnson Building, was placed on paid administrative leave in early July 2012 – more than two years ago – and still collects a check.

Needham, who earns $27,555 annually, was initially hired in early January 2011. Her duties included "office filing, making copies, answering phones and putting packets together for orientation," according to her personnel file.

WBIR attempted to reach Needham at her East Knox County home but she was not there. A neighbor said Needham was his niece, but he didn't know when she would return home, but that "she's around."

Her attorney, Knoxville-based Michael Menefee, told WBIR: "We have had some legal issue with

Knox County, however, due to some confidentiality agreements that are in place, we are not able to comment on the story. There's of course more to the story than she's been receiving a paycheck, but I can't comment on it."

Needham has not filed legal action against the county, according to court records. But, Menefee said he is discussing a "settlement" with the county, but declined to elaborate.

The county's law department said there have been some verbal discussions between the two sides, but Needham has not issued a demand letter, asking for money.

School spokeswoman Melissa Ogden offered no explanation why Needham was on administrative leave – and not placed on medical leave – or why she is still on the payroll.

"I think the best way to state it would be that HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations prevent us from providing more detail on Tina Needham's paid administrative leave," Ogden said in an email to 10News.

Complete story along with TV report, RIGHT SMACK HERE.