Latest news with #JasonLawson
Axios
2 days ago
- Axios
Riot reignites scrutiny at one of largest prisons in Tennessee
A riot erupted at one of Tennessee's largest prisons late Sunday, injuring a guard and reigniting calls for an overhaul of prison leadership. Why it matters: This marks the latest example of violent conditions at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, which is overseen by the publicly traded company CoreCivic. Critics, including state lawmakers and local district attorney, say conditions are perilous for staff and inmates. State of play: The riot began late Sunday and lasted for hours, according to law enforcement. A "large group of inmates from several housing units" got out of their cells and got into part of the prison yard, according to a CoreCivic spokesperson. The inmates tried to destroy security cameras, started fires and tried to damage other property. They attacked one guard, who was treated and released at an area hospital, the spokesperson said. Three inmates were treated for injuries. Prison staff used tear gas to quell the conflict and regain control. All inmates remained on prison grounds during the riot. The Tennessee Department of Correction is investigating. The big picture: Violence at Trousdale Turner is well documented. It is the subject of several wrongful death lawsuits and an ongoing Department of Justice investigation. Understaffing and mismanagement have been noted in state audits. Yes, but: Heightened scrutiny has done little to address the problem. Zoom out: The state has contracted with the Brentwood-based CoreCivic to manage operations at Trousdale Turner since the prison opened in 2016. The state has doled out millions of dollars in penalties against CoreCivic amid understaffing and other problems. What they're saying: High-profile critics responding to the riot said the state should take over operations at Trousdale Turner. Trousdale County District Attorney Jason Lawson said a new charge related to criminal conduct at the prison emerges every four days. " The continual problems demonstrate that CoreCivic is unable to address the issues," Lawson said in a statement. "It is long overdue that the State of Tennessee shifted the management of Trousdale Turner from CoreCivic into the direct hands of the Tennessee Department of Correction. I am confident that Commissioner Strada and the Tennessee Department of Correction could manage this situation far better than what is being done by CoreCivic." State Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) said keeping CoreCivic in charge is "profoundly unfair to the sheriff of Trousdale County, to the employees working in that dangerous environment, and certainly to the people incarcerated there."
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-Falls public works director accused of misspending money running for supervisor
The former Falls director of public works who lost his job after he was charged with spending taxpayer money on personal items wants a new township role: Supervisor. Jason Lawson is running in the municipal primary on Tuesday for an open 6-year supervisor seat. He is challenging endorsed Democratic candidate Tim Loteckie, a Waste Management employee and licensed inspector. Lawson, 53, of Fairless Hills, did not immediately respond Monday to emails sent to accounts associated with him. A cellphone associated with him did not have a voicemail box set up. Where is the report? Consultant report on impending financial crisis in Falls is done. Why isn't it public? But he appears to be running a low-key campaign. An online name search found only one mention of him running for supervisor other than his name appearing on sample ballots and voter guides as a candidate. Earlier this month in an interview with WBCB radio station, Lawson said if elected he wanted to reduce municipal overspending but did not offer any specific areas he would target. He also told WBCB that he took the probation deal in the theft case because he did not have to admit guilt, and he alleged others in the township had made 'false claims' about him. Earlier this year, Lawson was accepted into a special probation program for misusing taxpayer money on personal purchases. Under his program conditions Lawson must repay Falls $6,174.42, which reflects the amount he misappropriated minus a credit the township received after returning car parts Lawson purchased for himself. It was not immediately known Monday if all the funds has been reimbursed yet. He also must complete 10 hours of community service and serve six months of unsupervised probation, which would end next month. If Lawson successfully completes the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program he could have his criminal record expunged. Lawson was arrested last year and faced five felony charges including theft, forgery and tampering with public records and a related misdemeanor. Authorities said he made personal purchases with public money, then attempted to conceal the theft. Bucks County detectives opened an investigation into allegations that Lawson used a Falls Township credit card and a township check to pay for items at a Home Depot and Middletown car dealership, then falsified records to make the purchases appear legitimate, authorities said. Township records showed Lawson made 20 purchases at a Home Depot using his township-issued credit card between March 1, 2019 and March 20, 2024. Lawson also used a township check to pay for auto supplies including fuel injectors that he bought for his personal vehicle, authorities said. To conceal his thefts, authorities allege Lawson provided the township's finance department with false authorization and reasons for the transactions so the expense could be properly recorded for accounting purposes. Falls Township supervisors voted to terminate Lawson, who earned $106,090 last year, without identifying him on Oct. 28. He was placed on paid leave in May, then unpaid leave in July after criminal charges were filed. The winner Tuesday will face the winner of the Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Democrat Jeff Boraski, the current vice-president who is leaving the board after serving 11 years, in the November election.. Candidates Joan Graves and Jennifer Metzger are competing for the single Republican ballot position Tuesday. Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@ This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Ex-Falls administrator accused of misusing money runs for supervisor
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Falls Township primary races: Party voters to decide council nominees
Fall Township voters will decide primary challenges for both political parties in the race for seats on the township board of supervisors. The winners of the party primaries will face off in the November general election, seeking a 6-year term on the governing body, which in recent years has dealt with redevelopment of the old U.S. Steel property, development along the Route 1 corridor and loss on landfill fees impacting the budget. The seat is now held by Jeffrey M. Boraski, who did not seek reelection. The primary is Tuesday and polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and mail-in ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Bucks County election results will be available Tuesday night after the polls close. The candidates in the Democratic primary are: Jason Lawson Tim Loteckie Loteckie is endorsed by the Falls Democratic Party. The candidates in the GOP primary are: Joan M. Graves Jennifer C. Metzger This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Falls Township primary races set for nominations for supervisor
