Ex-Trustee begins serving one year

Mike Lowe

Former long-time Knox County trustee Mike Lowe (who got rid of the hair plugs) reported to jail today to begin serving a one year sentence that will more than likely turn into seven months if he receives credit (he's expected to) for good behavior..

Lowe, 57, pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft in Knox County Criminal Court on March 12. Judge Steve Sword sentenced him to 10 years of supervised probation, one year in jail and ordered him to pay restitution of $200,000 to Knox County.

Each felony theft charge could have netted Lowe a sentence of up to 12 years in prison.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the state Comptroller's Office and the District Attorney General's Office began looking into accusations against Lowe and some of his employees in 2009.

Officials say he more than likely swindled at least $1 million in a scheme he concocted with a couple of ghost employees who were paid to do little if any work.