PUTNAM COUNTY- A former attorney is facing additional theft charges as a result of an ongoing TBI investigation.
On October 3, 2025, at the request of 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, TBI agents began investigating allegations that James Hargis (DOB: 08/11/1991), the former treasurer of the Kappa Sigma Alumni Association at Tennessee Technological University, misappropriated association funds. During the course of the investigation, findings by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury revealed Hargis misappropriated over $60,000 from the association. Hargis was not practicing as a licensed attorney while in this role.
This investigation by TBI also revealed that Hargis was responsible for theft in excess of $10,000 related to an estate where he was previously the acting attorney for the administratrix of the estate.
This week, the Putnam County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Hargis with one count of theft over $60,000 and one count of theft over $10,000. On September 29th, with assistance from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Hargis was arrested and booked into Putnam County Jail. He has been given an OR bond.
Hargis was previously charged with one count of theft over $60,000 in connection to a separate incident where he withheld funds from an individual during a real estate transaction. Click here to read the news release issued in that case.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
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