Statement Regarding Macon Water Authority Court Ruling

In late October 2022, I was asked to look into the Macon Water Authority by Chairman Sam Hart, Sr., in relation to concerns regarding potential legal violations by four elected board members of the Macon Water Authority. I opened an investigation and several members of the board cooperated with my Office. Others did not, so I moved forward in a manner that I believed was right in an effort to determine if there were any legal violations in the actions of the Macon Water Authority Board Members.

There had been a previous civil grand jury investigation into certain issues with the Macon Water Authority under the administration of former District Attorney Howard Simms, and I asked the sitting Grand Jury to review the complaint and other information which had been presented to me by Chairman Hart. They conducted their review and voted to initiate a civil investigation, directing that subpoenas be issued to certain board members for testimony. The four board members in question hired multiple attorneys to file motions with the Court to quash those subpoenas. The Court heard arguments and took briefs on these Motions in December 2022, and recently ruled in favor of quashing the subpoenas, thus ending any further civil grand jury investigation. In spite of the decision in this case, I will always continue to do my part when needed to hold elected officials, government agencies, and those who are answerable to the community, accountable for their actions.

Elections at all levels matter, and public service positions are often held by individuals appointed by one elected official. Now is the time for others to join me in reviewing local and state laws to ensure there is public accountability and transparency for organizations like the Macon Water Authority, as there must be a mechanism for all elected officials to be accountable to the communities they serve.