Tamara (“Tami”) Sawyer, a Shelby County General Sessions Court clerk, was indicted on theft, fraud, and money laundering-related counts, DOJ says. Prosecutors allege she embezzled public funds using procurement and travel cards, travel advances, and payments routed through web-based services and PayPal accounts.

A federal grand jury indicted Tamara (“Tami”) Sawyer, identified by DOJ as a clerk for the Shelby County General Sessions Court, on theft, fraud, and money laundering-related charges. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, prosecutors allege Sawyer converted and embezzled public funds through a series of financial mechanisms tied to card-based purchases and payment routing. DOJ says the alleged conduct involved procurement cards, a travel card, and travel advances, with payments reportedly routed through web-based services and PayPal accounts. Prosecutors describe these tools as part of how public funds were allegedly diverted and monetized, reflecting a public-corruption fraud pattern where legitimate administrative payment channels are repurposed for personal benefit. The indictment signals that the government views the case not only as theft but also as fraud with money laundering components—suggesting prosecutors believe the proceeds were handled or processed in ways intended to obscure origin or facilitate continued misuse. Such cases can have consumer-adjacent impact because systems involving payments, accounts, and financial controls are affected. As with other fraud matters involving institutional access, the alleged scheme relies on trust and administrative authority. DOJ’s allegations point to the importance of audit trails, procurement oversight, and monitoring of card usage and payment platforms to prevent diversion of funds. The charges keep the case moving toward litigation where the government will attempt to prove the alleged misuse of public resources through documented transactions.