CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A businessman who has operated websites in Clarksville and Nashville that publicize arrest mugshots was arrested this week on a charge of theft of services.

Jason Wayne Steen, 41, was arrested Thursday and booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

Steen hired Alpha Moving & Storage to help with his personal move to a new residence in December, but he did not pay the company for their services, according to court records obtained by Clarksville Now.

Steen contends he was overcharged through incorrect billing. He also told Clarksville Now the dispute should have been handled as a civil matter, not in the criminal sphere.

Steen owns Scoop Media Group, which operates Scoop: Nashville and several other similar websites, including the former Scoop: Clarksville.

In December, employees of Scoop Media Group in Clarksville came forward with allegations they had not been paid for their work and filed complaints with the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development, as reported by the Leaf Chronicle. Steen cited issues that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the company to miss payroll.

Two local elected officials were once employed at Scoop Media in Clarksville, including Montgomery County Commissioner Joshua Beal and City Councilmember Trisha Butler. Both resigned from those positions in December.

Steen also owns or has owned brands under the names Clarksville Broadcasting, Strawberry Alley Market, Steen Companies, Clarksville Radio, Party 108, Talk 108, and Podbar Clarksville. There are no Clarksville FM or AM radio stations affiliated with any of Steen’s companies.

In June 2000, Steen was arrested in Nashville and charged with one count of felony theft up to $1,000. A settlement was reached in that case in 2007.