Update : Fannin County Tax Commissioner Arrested
Featured Stories, News March 5, 2020
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) has confirmed the arrest of Fannin County Tax Commissioner Shirley Sosebee.
The arrest was made shortly after 4:00 p.m. on March 5, 2020. Warrants were issued for Sosebee on charges of Forgery in the First Degree and Violation of Oath of Office by a Public Officer.
Sosebee has since been released on a $10,000 bond.
In a press release, FCSO stated:
“A complaint was filed by the victim to the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office that the signature on a deed to transfer title on a parcel of real estate had been forged. After a brief inquiry by the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, GBI was requested to conduct the formal investigation.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested for assistance on Feb. 27, 2020.
Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby did clarify, “The initial inquiry by the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office determined the complaint against the tax commissioner did not involve the operations of the tax commissioner’s office, but involved personal, family business.”
The charges come after a portion of land inherited by Sosebee and other family was deeded over to Sosebee’s daughter.
Quitclaim Deeds filed on Nov. 6 and Nov. 8, 2019 show signatures from Shirley Sosebee, Jeanette Holloway, and Raymond White Jr. signing the parcel over. All Quitclaim Deeds in the case are notarized by Kelly M. Hughes.
White signed an affidavit on Jan. 6, 2020 in Gilmer County claiming that his signature had been forged.
White claims in the affidavit :
“I did not sign or authorize the signature on the Quitclaim Deed recorded in Book 1319, Page 37 of the Fannin County Clerk of Superior Court on November 8, 2019. I have reviewed the Quitclaim Deed and confirmed that it is not my signature and I have never appeared before any notary regarding this matter.
Furthermore, the property described in Deed Book 1319, Page 37 was owned by my mother Kathleen White. I have maintained the land since the passing of my father John Raymond White in April, 2003. I have mowed and weeded on a weekly basis, bush-hogged at least once a year and cleared a garage that was in wreckage. After the passing of my mother in October 2015, I continued to maintain the property by mowing, weeding and bush-hogging.”
Sosebee, who had recently qualified to run in Fannin County’s 2020 Election as incumbent for the seat of Fannin County Tax Commissioner, withdrew her name on March 6 following these events.
Likewise, Sosebee’s husband, Larry Joe Sosebee, who had qualified to run for Fannin County Chairman, also withdrew.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support of me running for Chairman and their continued support,” Larry Joe told FYN speaking of his decision not to run.
Shirely, taking the advice of legal counsel, was unable to give comment.
FYN reached out to GBI for comment regarding the investigation, but GBI also could not comment due to the investigation being ongoing.
Affidavit filed by Raymond White, Jr.
Quitclaim Deed signed by Shirley Sosebee.
Quitclaim Deed signed by Jeanette Holloway.
Quitclaim Deed with signature in question of Raymond White.
Warrant for Forgery in the First Degree
Warrant for Violation of Oath by Public Officer
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10 Comments
Political Corruption is the undoing of the Fabric of America!
Would have been nice to have given more information on the reason behind she doing this. Did she stand to profit from it or did she do it because the owner hadn’t signed it so she was just trying to be helpful in saving them from having to put up with the stupid metal detector you must pass through to go to the tax office.
I do not understand yes it might have been family …but she is still an elected official . if she did forge a name that is a crime she should be held to a higher standard, and she should be held accountable does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out, she did take a oath to uphold the laws… so family or not ,she needs to be charged as she has been…. this excuse of family business sounds bias to me blatant,,,,and she was being treated different by authorities than us ordinary folks…
The Entire County and City of Blue Ridge is Corrupt
Does not take a rocket scientist to know that’s this is coming out nearing election time her and husband both running for office even though this happen back in November 2019 and just now coming out and seems like this getting a lot special attention.
Lets do not sweep this under the carpet. like everything else in this town,, and it is unbelievable that anyone would even say this is not connected with her Job, yes for some people special treatment, not right to even suggest this is not connected shocking just shocking,she has taken an oath to uphold her office and be honest,
How about the witness and the notary, aren’t they complicit as well?
This town has gone to hell in a hand basket, and the locals are noticing. We have corrupt money hungry government officials, and our once quaint town is now constantly flooded with out of towners who disrespect our home. It is a real shame. Their “vision” is discarding the vision that many had when they moved here.
I don’t see why she is the only one being criticized and put out to the public, why isn’t the notary as well?
Innocent until proven guilty. An old concept. Let’s get the facts. However, there is too much nepotism in Fannin County, and someone needs to end it.