KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is probing whether a Knox County probation officer took a payoff.

TBI spokeswoman Kristin Helm confirmed on Thursday that the agency is investigating allegations against Probation Officer Alex Ragland, according to The Associated Press.

Helm says Knox County prosecutor Randy Nichols asked the state agency to investigate whether the officer accepted cash to overlook probation violations by a criminal who reported to him.

The AP was unable to reach Ragland for comment and. Knox County Probation Director Tara Richardson did not return a phone.

The agency monitors misdemeanor probationers.

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