Criminal charges may be in the future for Upper Cumberland Development District executive director Wendy Askins.An investigation by the district attorney’s office looks to be on the horizon, while the controversy’s direction seems to be changing focus.Cookeville District Attorney Randall York announced Thursday he is asking for a special prosecutor to be appointed to examine allegations of wrongdoing in connection with the Upper Cumberland Development District. York said his involvement in the case may be seen as a conflict of interest.Askins was accused by members of her board of directors last Friday of misappropriating UCDD funds for a project she called Living the Dream, a $1 million retirement facility, back in 2010. Transferred was $300,000 to Cumberland Regional Development Corporation for the project, which was done without board approval.York says it could take up to two weeks to appoint a special attorney to begin an investigation, if one is indeed appointed.“No one has been appointed,” he said.