GBI probe prompts suspension of Muscogee County Sheriff's Office employee

Sheriff John Darr says the employee could face a misdemeanor charge.

http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2011/aug/03/gbi-probe-prompts-suspension-muscogee-county-sheri-ar-2225342/

By: ALISON FLOWERS 
Published: August 03, 2011

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Muscogee County Sheriff John Darr has put an employee on administrative leave without pay for allegedly violating the Georgia Open Records Act.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has conducted a probe into the matter, upon Darr's request. According to Rodney Wall, special agent in charge of the Columbus office, the GBI's findings have been turned over to Muscogee County Solicitor General Ben Richardson to explore possible criminal charges.

Darr says the violation involved released four employees information without authorization, what could result a misdemeanor charge.

"Everybody knows in law enforcement, our number one priority is to what? To protect and serve those in our community," Darr said. "That’s obvious, but that also extends to the employees of your agency."

Columbus attorney Mark Shelnutt is representing suspended sheriff's office employee Regina Millirons.Shelnutt sent a letter to Mayor Teresa Tomlinson in June outlining numerous allegations against the sheriff's office, including the misappropriation of funds and gender discrimination. Millirons' defense team provided News 3 with the verbage of the Georgia Open Records Act, in an effort to show her "good faith" effort to provide proof of her allegations against the sheriff's department to the city.

Mayor Teresa Tomlinson called the allegation that the city somehow prompted Millirons to release confidential documents "absurd." Tomlinson said neither she nor the city would ask for anyone to break the law.Tomlinson confirmed the city's lawyers met with Millirons' team to ask for proof of her complaint.

"I can assure you things in the sheriff’s office are being done the right way," Darr said.

Darr said one of the things for which he has taken heat is purchasing two administrative vehicles and onetravel car for his department with funds from the jail commissary. Darr said this is within the scope of those funds, for the betterment of the department and the inmates. The used cars (two Crown Victorias and one Dodge Magnum) were purchased in 2009, according to Darr.

Over in Harris County, Sheriff Mike Jolley said there is nothing improper or illegal about using the jail funds in this manner, provided the vehicles are used to transport inmates or used to somehow benefit the jail. Jolleysaid he has purchased kitchen equipment and televisions out of his own jail fund.

"I wouldn't use that money to buy patrol cars for deputies to patrol in," Jolley said. In that case, patrol cars for his department would not have a direct relationship in serving the inmate population.

"I think a lot of this is politically motivated," Darr said. "I have nothing to hide. I am not worried about any investigation. I’ve called for every one of these, so I would kind of think that people in the community, I would hope they would recognize that there is nothing going on in the sheriff’s department."

According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Shelnutt is calling his client's suspension "a blatant violation" of laws protecting government whistleblowers.

Darr said that until allegations are proven, it is unfair to deem Shelnutt a true whistleblower.

News 3 will have more on this story tonight on Evening Edition at 6/5 CT.