KNOXVILLE, Tenn.(WVLT)--Following a two month long investigation, the TBI indicted the Vonore mayor and Democratic party chairman on misusing county inmates.

Residents are shocked to learn their mayor and his brother-in-law were arrested.

Many of them think the inmates should be put to work, but for the county, not private individuals.
This is the house where TBI says Democratic Party Chairman Charles Kenneth Miller and Vonore Mayor Larry Summey used inmates to do personal yard work.

It's Miller's mother's house, and Mayor Summey's mother in law's home. James Jenkins says, "That kinda surprised me. I wouldn't' expect it out of him."

We called city hall, but were told Mayor Summey was in a meeting. He never returned our phone call.

Some didn't believe it when they heard the news. Vonda Franklin says, "Very surprised cause he's our new mayor that just got elected. Hasn't been in office that long."

Jackie Miller says, "I think it's totally inappropriate and I can't believe somebody's elected to office and abuses the power."

TBI's investigation revealed Mayor Summey ordered the work done and Miller gave directions to the workers as to which trees were to be cut and chipped.

Jackie Miller says, "Use them for the public. Use them for the roadside. Use them to build something, but don't use them for your own personal benefit to clean up somebody's yard that's in your family."

Robert Rupinski says, "If they're going to serve the community, they need to be cleaning the roads and picking up garbage."

As of Tuesday, Summey is still serving as mayor. But residents think both men need to be punished. Vonda Franklin says, "If you're going to get into office and abuse it, you don't need to be in there."

James Jenkins says, "Something's got to happen or it will keep going on."