On Monday at the Knox County Commission meeting, former Knox County Property Assessor and current employee of the Assessor’s office John Whitehead spoke about the News Sentinel PILOT (Payment In Lieu Of Taxes). It is reported that he said You have seen on the Internet rumors that the Sentinel owes $1.0 million in property taxes. It is not that much. It is likely $25,000.00.
First of all the only place on the Internet that has talked about the News Sentinel PILOT is here at Brian’s Blog. So it would have been better for him to name us. But that’s o.k. Secondly, it was only about two weeks ago that current Knox County Property Assessor Phil Ballard told three of our sources that the bill is in the neighborhood of $1.5 million dollars.
Of course it is to all the politicians benefit not to irritate the News Sentinel as they buy their ink by the barrels. So, it was overheard in the back of the main assembly room that by the time this is all said and done, Knox County will likely be paying the News Sentinel $25,000.00
So it is a bribe? Shouldn’t the TBI investigate?
From our sources, the TBI is still in Knoxville and Knox County with an investigation. It is conceivable that they could branch out into this one as well.