LaFollette's mayor used city services and employees for his personal gain throughout his time in office and public works managers did little to stop it, according to the Tennessee Office of the Comptroller.
The Comptroller's Office on Monday released its findings after an investigation that resulted in charges in September against Michael R. Stanfield. The TBI took part in the review.
Stanfield is charged in Campbell County with crimes that include official misconduct and retaliation for reporting to the comptroller.
He remains in office.
Stanfield is due in court May 17 in Campbell County for a status report on the case, according to defense attorney Steve Hurst.
Stanfield "has misused city personnel and equipment throughout his tenure" starting in 2008, the Comptroller's Office states.
"Numerous witnesses told investigators that Stanfield has brought non city-owned equipment, such as lawnmowers and chainsaws, to the city’s Public Works Department for city employees to repair. Some of the repairs were done using city time and/or equipment.
"Mayor Stanfield acknowledged that he ran a side business repairing small engines that was unrelated to his position with the city."
Monday's report includes reference to an instance when Stanfield brought in a riding lawnmower - privately owned - that was repaired at the Public Works Department using city resources.
Public Works Department management knew about what Stanfield was doing, according to the Comptroller's Office.
"The lack of oversight by management contributed to the mayor’s ability to misuse city employees and equipment. Providing adequate oversight reduces the risks that errors or intentional misappropriations will remain undetected. The mayor freely brought his personal equipment to the Public Works Department for city employees to repair, using city time and/or equipment," the review states.
Separately, the Comptroller's Office found that the city had paved part of a councilman's driveway in 2018. The now former councilman has since reimbursed the city.
Stanfield mentioned the incident during a City Council meeting in early 2020, according to the Comptroller's Office. But he never followed up.
"The mayor did not report the issue to the state Comptroller’s Office until July 23, 2020, thus exceeding the reasonable time requirement of five days, as required by law," the office states.