Former TN school employee charged after using work car for Uber, DoorDash
HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The former transportation manager for Hamilton County Schools is facing multiple charges after allegedly making food deliveries and providing rideshare services in his work-assigned vehicle.
The Tennessee Comptroller’s Office launched an investigation after Hamilton County school officials said they received allegations that a man was picking up food deliveries in a county-owned vehicle.
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Investigators said they determined the license plate number matched the one on David Eaves’ work-assigned vehicle. Eaves reportedly admitted to using the vehicle to make food deliveries through apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash for eight months.
However, officials said the investigation revealed he had been doing so since March 20, 2017 — the first day he was employed with Hamilton County Schools. He served as the transportation manager through May 2022 when he was placed on unpaid administrative leave.
Eaves was responsible for overseeing and directing the department’s day-to-day operations and was required to either be at the department’s office or at one of the Hamilton County schools checking on school bus operations.
During his employment with the school system, authorities said Eaves carried out food deliveries, as well as rideshare services through Uber and Lyft, on at least 933 occasions and all during school work hours.
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He is believed to have spent at least 23,914 minutes performing those services, which is equal to more than $18,000 of misappropriated salary payments. About 84% of that time included deliveries through Uber Eats and DoorDash.
The investigation also found that Eaves made at least $1,475 in “questionable fuel purchases,” according to officials. Authorities said Eaves used his work-assigned fuel card to fill up on at least 44 occasions while making deliveries during school hours.
The Comptroller’s Office said Eaves’ activities were all in violation of a school policy prohibiting the personal use of work-assigned vehicles — a policy which Eaves reportedly signed on the day he was hired.
On June 3, 2022, while still on suspension and unpaid administrative leave, Eaves requested early retirement. Hamilton County Schools officials approved Eaves’ request for early retirement, effective July 1, 2022.
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As a result of the investigation, in May 2024, the Hamilton County Grand Jury indicted Eaves on one count of theft over $10,000, one count of forgery over $10,000, one count of violation of the Tennessee Personal and Commercial Computer Act over $10,000, one count of destruction of and tampering with government records, and one count of official misconduct.
“Hamilton County Schools officials must ensure they provide adequate oversight of employees and the department’s fuel card usage,” said Comptroller Jason Mumpower. “Hamilton County Schools should reconcile fuel purchases on a monthly basis and consider requiring employees to document where they traveled.”
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