Former Mayor, Vice Mayor and Mayor’s Daughter Indicted On Fraud Charges In Surgoinsville

Former Mayor of Surgoinsville, Hanes Cooper, Former Vice Mayor Charles Lawson and Cooper’s daughter, Robin Hoffman were all indicted Monday on numerous fraud charges by a Hawkins County Grand Jury. 

The charges stem from 2002 to 2006 when Cooper and Lawson served as the town’s Mayor and Vice Mayor.  Last month the states comptrollers office released findings through an investigation that Cooper, and Lawton used their positions to commit Official Misconduct and Theft of Property.  The report charges Cooper had his daughter also commit numerous crimes like Criminal Conspiracy, Forgery and Theft of Property.

All three turned themselves into the Hawkins County Jail and were released on bond.  They will be in court on Feb. 2nd to hear the charges.