The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee told The Tennessee Star on Monday afternoon that Shelby County General Sessions Clerk Tami Sawyer was named in a six-count indictment it described as a “significant public corruption case,” following the release of video showing Sawyer at the federal courthouse in Memphis with her attorney on Monday morning.
According to the indictment, Sawyer is accused of using county procurement and travel systems to steal or misdirect nearly $45,000 between August 2024 and June 2025.
The indictment alleges that Sawyer (pictured above) used three other county employees’ procurement cards, which function like credit or bank cards, to pay for a variety of personal expenses. These cards were allegedly used at bars, hotels, and restaurants; for purchases involving the Memphis Tigers and FedExForum; and for alcohol, Uber Eats, Instacart, and Turo.
She is additionally accused of using PayPal to enrich herself using the procurement cards.
Sawyer allegedly completed these PayPal transfers, according to the indictment, with the help of a co-conspirator who is not named or included within the indictment. Sawyer is accused of sending the money to her co-conspirator, who she directed to keep a small amount, in exchange for sending Sawyer the majority of the sum via CashApp.
The indictment specifically alleges, “It was the object of the conspiracy that SAWYER would steal and embezzle money belonging to the Office of the Shelby County General Sessions Clerk to unjustly enrich herself and others.”
Sawyer is charged with two counts of conspiracy, including to commit honest services wire fraud and money laundering, as well as theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, and interstate and foreign travel in aid of racketeering enterprises.
If found guilty of all charges in the indictment, the document states that Sawyer could face 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $500,000.
Though Sawyer reportedly appeared in federal court on Monday, the indictment is dated to last Thursday, June 11.
Prior to the indictment, Sawyer most recently drew headlines last year, when she was accused of unleashing a racist tirade against local members of law enforcement who allegedly prevented her private, armed security from entering a courthouse.
Both the Republican Party of Shelby County and State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) called for Sawyer to resign, but Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy declined to pursue state charges against Sawyer after an investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
