DA: Ex-Greene Co. school board member pleads guilty to official misconduct
GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A former Greene County Board of Education member pleaded guilty Wednesday to official misconduct, according to Third Judicial District Attorney Dan Armstrong.
Armstrong told News Channel 11 that Tom Cobble, who resigned from the school board in April, pleaded guilty to the charge of official misconduct in Greene County Criminal Court.
TBI investigating now-former Greene Co. school board member
As a result, Armstrong said Cobble will be placed on probation for one year. Since he pleaded guilty, he will also not be allowed to hold office, vote or own a firearm, Armstrong said.
Official misconduct occurs when a person in a position of authority uses it to reap a benefit or harm others.
In Cobble’s case, Armstrong said he engaged in “untoward activity” with students. Statements from at least two students were entered into the court, Armstrong told News Channel 11, and at least one of the students was in the foreign exchange program.
Cobble resigned from the school board April 12, citing his declining health as the reason. News Channel 11 later learned the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was looking into allegations involving Cobble.
The Greene County Commission will select Cobble’s replacement on the board of education at its May 20 meeting. The appointed person will fill the remainder of Cobble’s term, which ends in August.
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