A new development in the controversy surrounding the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Robert Arnold and investigations into contracts and company affiliations. In a release to NewsRadio WGNS from Detective Sergeant Dan Goodwin, Administrative Chief Deputy Joe Russell and Det. Major Bill Sharp were placed in administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of investigations underway. The release went on to say due to the ongoing investigations, the sheriff's office will have no further comment on the matter.

The controversy involves Sheriff Robert Arnold's involvement in a company called JailCigs. It supposedly is owned by the sheriff's uncle, John Vanderveer. Its services reportedly were made available locally without any competitive bid process. Russell also works for the company which sells electronic cigarettes to inmates at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and others across the country.

Sharp, who also runs Sharp Training and Consulting or SharpTAC, was reportedly paid by the RCSO for the training of five county officers and officers in Smyrna.