February 21, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
The executive director of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an independent investigation.
Luke Collins is under scrutiny after a Channel 4 investigation into his questionable time sheets, per diem payments, and use of a public transit vehicle.
The UCHRA board met Tuesday morning in Cookeville and voted to put Collins on leave with pay and to ask the agency’s attorney to find another lawyer to lead an independent investigation.
According to reports, some members of the board argued that Collins should not receive pay while on administrative leave, but ultimately the motion was passed to allow him to be paid while the investigation was underway.
Rebecca Harris, the agency’s transportation director, will temporarily serve as executive director until next week when the board meets again.