George Jones Museum Manager Found Guilty of Fraud

During his life, George Jones had a few problems with the law from time to time. It turns out the man in charge of his museum did as well. Kirk West, who manages the George Jones Museum in downtown Nashville, pleaded guilty to two accounts of fraud.

The George Jones Museum opened back in April of 2015. The four story property serves as a shrine to all things Jones and also offers live music, food and drinks.

It appears that West helped fund the museum along with George’s widow, Nancy Jones. West partnered with 66-year-old Nancy Jones to make the property a reality. So far everything seems fine right?

Not so fast! West inflated his own income and net worth in order to get some bank loans. He forged documents to inflate his worth and procure loans on Nashville area properties and he also owes more than $33,000 to a Mercedes-Benz dealer in unrelated charges.

As punishment for his crimes, West will serve two years in prison and pay back nearly $1 million in restitution.

Plans for the museum pre-dated Jones’ death in 2013. Outside of the problem with management, the George Jones Museum seems to be doing quite well. Fans can see artifacts such as the lawnmower Jones rode on a drunken trip to the liquor store, in addition to many things attached to his career and life.

On display are many pieces of memorabilia that tell the story of the man many consider the greatest country singer of all time. The museum is located less than a block off Lower Broadway in Nashville.