Shelby County Clerk Tami Sawyer Indicted on $44K Public Funds Theft
A federal grand jury indicted Shelby County Clerk Tami Sawyer on Monday, accusing her of using county credit cards and PayPal transfers to steal more than $44,000 in public funds.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk Tami Sawyer was indicted Monday on federal public corruption charges, with the U.S. Department of Justice alleging she diverted $44,607.35 in public funds for personal use.
The six-count federal indictment was brought by the U.S. Attorney in West Tennessee. Sawyer appeared in federal court Monday and entered a not guilty plea. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine if convicted.
Alleged Scheme Involved Credit Cards and PayPal Transfers
According to federal prosecutors, Sawyer carried out a deliberate “scheme” to redirect public money to herself. The DOJ alleges she used county-issued credit cards to cover personal expenses, including alcohol and Uber Eats purchases.
Prosecutors also allege she used multiple PayPal accounts to funnel money to a friend, who then transferred the funds back to Sawyer. The total amount allegedly misappropriated was $44,607.35 in public funds.
Sawyer’s Background and Recent Political Conflicts
Sawyer was elected to the clerk position in 2024 after serving one term on the Shelby County Commission and spending years as a political activist in the Memphis area. Her time in office has been marked by repeated clashes with Republican lawmakers and law enforcement.
In October 2025, Memphis Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor released a video showing Sawyer in a heated confrontation with Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies after her private security guard attempted to bring a firearm into the county courthouse. Sawyer said she had hired private security following death threats against her.
Following the release of that video, Sen. Taylor and Memphis Republican Rep. John Gillespie called on Sawyer to resign from her position. Sawyer had also publicly pushed back against the state and federal Memphis Safe Task Force during her tenure.
Case Draws Comparisons to Prior Corruption Conviction
The charges against Sawyer bear resemblance to a corruption case involving former Republican Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada. Casada and his former chief of staff were convicted of setting up a secret company to receive legislative mail service contracts, netting approximately $50,000 in deals, according to Tennessee Lookout.
Sawyer’s case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in West Tennessee. No trial date was announced following Monday’s arraignment.
