JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A state corruption investigation into the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) produced “no credible evidence” to substantiate allegations related to JCPD’s actions surrounding now convicted sex criminal Sean Williams.

First Judicial District Attorney Steve Finney provided News Channel 11 with a letter outlining that process after our questions following a New Yorker article on the Williams story focused significantly on corruption allegations. After his office was tasked in May 2023 with investigating Williams’s alleged crimes, Finney asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to investigate corruption allegations against JCPD that first surfaced in 2022 and intensified in 2023.

“I felt the request necessary to avoid any conflict of interest,” Finney wrote, adding that TBI has “a vast depth of experience” in handling public corruption cases. He described an investigation that began somewhat narrowly and broadened as various elements of the Williams case intensified. Finney also wrote that a parallel Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) probe also yielded no “substantial instances of corruption, bribery or other criminal misconduct.”

“(T)he investigation included examination of several thousand pages of financial records along with a significant number of interviews,” Finney wrote of the TBI probe.

“In my review of the investigation, no credible evidence was found by the TBI to substantiate any allegations of corruption, bribery or other criminal misconduct by any member of the Johnson City Police Department,” he added.

Williams, 53, is suspected of drugging and raping more than 60 women at his downtown Johnson City apartment, mostly between 2018 and 2021.

JCPD never charged him with any sex crimes despite several official complaints. Williams was at large from early May 2021 through late April 2023 after fleeing a federal ammunition charge here. In June 2022, a former federal prosecutor sued Johnson City claiming she was fired after pushing JCPD top brass to more closely investigate the sexual assault allegations against Williams.

His late April 2023 arrest in Cullowhee, N.C. on drug charges led to the discovery of huge amounts of digital files in his possession that authorities say show him sexually assaulting women and several children. He was convicted of three federal child pornography-related counts in November 2024 and sentenced to 95 years last month.

Williams himself source of most allegations

Williams was jailed in 2023 when a Facebook post attributed to him made specific allegations of police stealing from his safe during a September 2020 search. He later added that a business associate had paid off the police over a number of years — partly to protect him.

Finney wrote that it wasn’t appropriate for him to comment on the TBI investigation’s details, but expressed “complete faith” in the agency’s capability to conduct such probes. “I … feel that they did a thorough and commendable job in this case,” Finney added.

The Williams case remains complex and dynamic, including as it relates to additional potential charges against Williams himself. At this point, Finney wrote that based on his findings from the TBI’s report, “there are no criminal charges for my office to pursue,” but added “should additional evidence surface in the future, I will refer that evidence to the TBI and reconsider my decision if appropriate.”

A separate civil case against JCPD on behalf of Williams’ victims is on track for a settlement that includes a $28 million payout by Johnson City. Plaintiffs attorneys in that suit have alluded to an ongoing federal investigation — something that appears to remain a possibility among the multiple federal agencies — such as the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General — that can take on such matters.

News Channel 11 reached out to federal elected representatives asking whether they knew of any deadlines for an investigation into potential misconduct surrounding the Williams case. First District Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger’s communications director, Sam Somogye, provided us with the following:

“The case of Sean Williams is truly vile, and we’re relieved to see him behind bars.

The investigation into the Johnson City Police Department is ongoing, and Congresswoman Harshbarger is monitoring it closely as the legal proceedings move forward.”

The City of Johnson City has repeatedly denied all allegations of corruption or misconduct related to the Williams case.

Williams, meanwhile, should face local prosecutors after additional federal charges run their course, Finney wrote. The First District indicted him in September 2023 on three child rape or child sexual assault charges based on the same incidents for which he’s been convicted federally.

But Finney has also told News Channel 11 at least some rape charges are likely out of the alleged druggings and sexual assaults committed against women. His office interviewed a number of those alleged victims.

“Additional charges against Williams will be forthcoming in the very near future,” Finney concluded in Thursday’s letter.