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Tami Sawyer holds the elected position of Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk.
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Tami Sawyer's full legal name is Tamara Sawyer.
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A federal indictment dated June 11 charges Tami Sawyer with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, and interstate and foreign travel in aid of racketeering enterprises.
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Federal prosecutors allege Tami Sawyer misappropriated approximately $44,607.35 in county funds between August 29, 2024, and June 22, 2025.
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Prosecutors allege Tami Sawyer used county procurement cards, travel advances, and electronic payment applications to facilitate the alleged misappropriation.
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Tami Sawyer appeared Monday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee after arriving at the federal courthouse in Memphis.
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Federal prosecutors allege Tami Sawyer used public funds to pay for personal purchases including alcohol, food delivery services, lodging, dining, sports merchandise, venue charges, vehicle rentals, and digital payment transfers.
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Tami Sawyer's attorney John Keith Perry stated that she denies the allegations and intends to remain in office while contesting the charges.
John Keith Perry, Attorney
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“The indictment speaks for itself. We received a copy of it, and we haven’t had a chance to go through everything,” said John Keith Perry, Tami Sawyer's attorney.
John Keith Perry, Attorney
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“She is not guilty of these charges. We have not had a chance to go through and dissect every aspect of the law on it, but like I said, she’s not guilty, and we’re going to keep going forward,” said John Keith Perry, Tami Sawyer's attorney.
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Court records identify Monday's proceeding as an initial appearance and arraignment.
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The indictment alleges Tami Sawyer accessed procurement cards assigned to three clerk's office employees without authorization.
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Prosecutors allege many of the disputed purchases were made on weekends or holidays when the clerk's office was closed.
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Prosecutors allege Tami Sawyer provided false expense explanations, incorrectly reported missing receipts, and altered receipts submitted for reimbursement.
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The indictment alleges Tami Sawyer directed a fund transfer scheme involving the routing of misappropriated money to personal accounts and through a third party who returned portions of the funds via a digital payment service.
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Federal prosecutors allege Tami Sawyer failed to repay a county travel card balance incurred for personal expenses in October 2024.
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Prosecutors allege Tami Sawyer obtained travel advances in January and June 2025 for authorized trips that were subsequently canceled or not taken, and did not return the advance funds.
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If convicted on all charges, Tami Sawyer faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
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Court filings state the General Sessions Court Clerk maintains court records and funds, provides administrative support to 20 judges and 14 judicial commissioners, and holds a fiduciary duty to Shelby County.
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Federal prosecutors included a forfeiture notice in the indictment seeking any property derived from or traceable to the alleged violations.
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The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee is prosecuting the case.
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Tami Sawyer was elected General Sessions Court clerk in 2024 after previously serving as a Shelby County commissioner, an activist, and a candidate for Memphis mayor in 2019.
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Court documents indicate the current federal indictment is unrelated to the prior courthouse security controversy.
John Keith Perry, Attorney
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“I’ll let the reader determine that,” said John Keith Perry, Tami Sawyer's attorney, regarding whether political motivations influenced the federal case.
John Keith Perry, Attorney
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“They’ve had a great deal of confidence in her through the years. She has enjoyed the privilege of representing individuals from Shelby County. She’s done a great job,” said John Keith Perry, Tami Sawyer's attorney.
John Keith Perry, Attorney
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“So right now, it’s just a matter of trying to go forward and to do the things that she has been elected to do. And she’s going to continue to do her job. And we’re going to defend these charges,” said John Keith Perry, Tami Sawyer's attorney.
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