Kittle pled guilty to the indictment of over $250,000 (an A felony) on October 3, 2022, in lieu of a trial on this case.

Kittle was an employee of VEC who for over six-and-a-half years (June 2011 to December 2017) used his position in the accounting department to steal nearly a million dollars for his own personal gain. Kittle set up an elaborate refund scheme that allowed him to transfer money into his personal checking account and make payments to his and his wife’s credit cards. The transactions he made to his personal account were made to look like refunds to customers.

Kittle’s scheme was uncovered by VEC at the end of December 2017 and he was promptly terminated. VEC simultaneously reached out to the Decatur Police Department (DPD) regarding the initial discovery of the theft. When the theft was initially reported neither VEC nor law enforcement knew the entire depth of the theft. DPD requested assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.

The joint investigation between TBI and the Comptroller’s Office uncovered that Kittle stole $994,981.32 from VEC. This prosecution was possible due to the hard work of DPD, TBI, the Comptroller’s Office, our Office, and the cooperation of VEC.

Kittle testified during the sentencing hearing and as part of his explanation for his actions was after he stole the first sum of money, he intended to put it back, but when he realized he could not put it back without triggering red flags he decided he was going to get caught eventually so he should continue the theft.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Bob Edwards and Assistant District Attorney Jason Collver prosecuted the case for our Office. Kittle was defended by attorney David Calfee.

Kittle was taken into custody at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing and is currently in the Meigs County Jail waiting to be transferred to the Tennessee Department of Corrections.