TBI Turmoil: New Director Named, Acting Director Investigated

NASHVILLE, TN -- Gov. Bill Haslam named Knoxville's police chief as the new director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation just moments after his office confirmed an investigation is underway against the bureau's interim director.

David Rausch, chief of police in Knoxville since 2011, will become the TBI's director June 25, succeeding the retiring Mark Gwyn.

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“David brings a wealth of experience to the TBI and the proven leadership to continue the great progress the agency has made in making Tennessee safer. As police chief in Knoxville, he took on both urban and rural public safety issues and collaborated with local, state and federal partners to help address some of the region’s most pressing crimes, such as gang activity and human trafficking,” Haslam said in a statement.

Rausch's appointment was announced within moments of the news breaking that Jason Locke, a TBI veteran who had been serving as interim director, is under investigation for misuse of state funds connected to an alleged affair with a senior official at the Department of Mental Health Services. Locke's wife, Kim, alerted state officials of the potential misconduct in an email sent to numerous state and law enforcement officials and media outlets Friday.

Locke, like Rausch, was one of three finalists for the permanent directorship.

The governor's office said the allegations were referred to law enforcement. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Davidson County District Attorney General's office are among the agencies investigating. Locke is represented by Lebanon attorney Jeff Cherry, who said while he and his client are aware of the complaint, they've not yet seen it in writing.

The TBI confirmed it is aware of the allegations but did not say if Locke was placed on leave.