City Parking Contract to be investigated
City Council, Downtown Blue Ridge, News June 17, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The City of Blue Ridge parking continues to be a topic of discussion as accusations and controversy surround the management of the paid municipal lots.
Cesar Martinez, President of the Blue Ridge Business Association and Chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, read from an incident report filed to EPS (Executive Parking Systems) from one of its employees.
The incident, which took place on Saturday, May 29, 2021 during the Arts in the Park festival, involved EPS charging motorists to park at City Hall.
“I was pretty appalled,” Martinez said of the filed complaint, “The verbal attack on the parking attendants on May 29th was reprehensible and unacceptable.”
According to the complaint, a parking attendant with EPS was confronted by Councilmember Nathan Fitts about the company charging and accepting cash to park in the lot.
The parking attendant claims that Fitts drove into the lot and became irate when discussing the issue, telling the attendant that the collection of money for this particular lot was not authorized and that Fitts flaunted his position of power with statements like “I’m the top of the food chain”.
Fitts denies these claims and states that he had four witnesses with him who are willing to testify in court that this was not what took place.
Fitts said that he went to City Hall after receiving numerous complaints from residents and business owners.
“It would have been nice if you (Martinez) and or the Mayor were going to make these decisions, that you notify us council members or got our permission so we could let our downtown business owners know this,” Fitts spoke directly to Martinez, “It is not up to you to run this town.”
According to Fitts, once in the parking lot to verify that motorists were being charged, he called Zach Wojohn, President of EPS, and placed him on speaker phone.
Fitts explained to Wojohn that business owners had been told that City Hall would be free parking for employees and asked who had given permission to charge for the lot.
According to Fitts, Wojohn replied, “I have the Mayor on my side. I don’t have to answer anything to you” and hung up on him.
“The parking attendants were just there to do their jobs,” Martinez spoke to Council, “They had no knowledge of anything Mr. Fitts was ranting about.”
Martinez went on to say that he felt Mr. Fitts owes many apologies concerning the incident.
Fees for parking at City Hall have been collected during major events for several years now and Martinez pointed out these fees were collected “without objection”.
“Festivals have always been where we charge for parking at City Hall. It’s been done several times and nobody, including yourself (Fitts), ever raised a word,” Martinez said, adding about the new concern over parking, “There’s one big thing that’s changed and that’s the toxic vendetta filled politics plaguing our city.”
The issue of City parking came to the table once again during the meeting with Fitts and Councilmember Rhonda Haight giving their legal findings regarding the City’s contract with EPS.
Recently Council voted to not terminate the existing contract with EPS and not utilize the sealed bid process, with the tie breaking vote being cast by Mayor Donna Whitener.
“The more and more I dig into this, the more and more I find that I do not have it in me for the City of Blue Ridge to get taken advantage of in any shape, form or fashion,” Fitts said of the current contract with EPS.
Fitts and Haight, who have spent over $20,000 of their own money seeking legal opinion, recently asked several questions of former City Attorney David Syfan regarding the current contract and the legalities of EPS collecting and keeping money from non-special event parking.
When asked his legal opinion on whether the process of the City’s parking management should go through the sealed bid process, Syfan quoted the City Charter and stated in a written statement, “The clear answer is that under Georgia law, Section 630. That does not allow the City to bypass the sealed bid process or the auction process.”
Section 630 refers to general contracts entered into by the City and Fitts explained that every other service with the exception of parking management has gone through the sealed bid process.
Syfan went on to point out that the wording of the second contract with EPS, which has never been approved, makes it evident that the company according to current contract is only to be paid a percentage of monies during special events.
Wording in the second unapproved contract, states that EPS would collect funds for day to day operations. This wording is added and not in the current contract with the City.
City Council never gave permission to EPS to collect funds on day to day operations according to Haight and Fitts.
“Since EPS has no valid contractual right to those funds, EPS should turn over to the City all of those funds that were not event related and that were received due to unauthorized use of City property,” Syfan stated in an email.
Haight reached out to the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) who agreed to review all evidence relating to the parking contract and advise the City for a fee of $1,500.
Haight expressed her feelings of allowing GMA to investigate the matter and felt the City would benefit from their unbiased opinion.
A motion was made by Haight to move forward with a GMA investigation and seconded by Councilmember Mike Panter. Council unanimously voted to move forward with the investigation.
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Call for investigation into City delinquent tax matter
City Council, Downtown Blue Ridge, News April 20, 2021
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The May meeting of the Blue Ridge City Council could see a motion to investigate uncollected taxes with the blame being laid on Mayor Donna Whitener and Finance Director Alicia Stewart.
Council Member Rhonda Haight read from a prepared statement during the April meeting. Haight wanted to go on record to clear her name of any matters relating to the delinquent taxes owed to the City.
“I do not want to be associated with delinquent taxes,” Haight stated adding, “I had no knowledge and most of the council members did not.”
Haight goes on record about City’s uncollected taxes.
The issue of delinquent taxes haven been seemingly swept under the rug was brought to the public’s attention late last year after Council Member Mike Panter attended a City Finance meeting.
Records showed that the City had not pursued collection of these taxes from as far back as 2010.
Panter estimated that in previous years the collection rate sat somewhere around 60 percent and currently he estimates the collection rate to be between 85-87 percent.
Haight questioned, “Why was the city council not told about this? I’ve gone over 10 years of budget that I have on file. It’s not in a budget.”
Panter did counter this statement later in the meeting by saying that the financial meeting that he attended was held annually and that a council member had always been present during these meetings.
Haight reached out to Tracie Jo Bracken, Audit Engagement Partner with Welch, Walker and Associates, to try to find answers as to why council was never made aware of the issue.
According to Haight, Bracken stated that the issue of uncollected taxes “was not pinpointed and not included as an item of concern in the budget” but that Braken had discussed the matter in exit interviews with the Whitener and Stewart and had recommended Fi. Fa.
“Fi. Fa. is a tax lien or writ, authorizing the Sheriff or Ex-Officio Sheriff to obtain satisfaction of unpaid taxes by levying on and selling the delinquent taxpayer’s property.”
In order to pursue Fi. Fa. council members would have to grant approval.
Haight went on to cite sections of the City Charter, specifically Section 2.2 and 3.2.
According to Haight, “Under Section 2.2 the Charter states that the Mayor is to submit the council at least once a year a statement covering the financial conditions of the City and from time to time such information as the City may request” and under Section 3.2 “the neglect to perform duties is cause for removal”.
Haight claims there is cause for Whitener to be removed by not disclosing relevant information to council and not fulfilling her duties to uphold the Charter shown by example of the City not having a Treasurer.
Haight suggested hiring an independent consultant to look into the matter and also suggested putting standards into place so that this would not occur in the future.
Council Member Nathan Fitts shared his opinion as well, “I think personally that somebody should be accountable for this. I think the Financial Director and Mayor should be accountable for it. I think the public expects the council to do something over it.”
Fitts went on to say that he personally believes that the Mayor should resign over the issue. Fitts would like to put to vote the investigation of the matter not only for accountability to the public but to also show which council members “are supporting what’s right and what’s wrong”.
FYN spoke with Whitener, who was not present at the meeting during the discussion of delinquent taxes.
Whitener said there were a number of considerations to look into when going over the delinquent taxes and gave the example of businesses who had gone out of business but had failed to remove themselves from the digest.
“We’ve been within our range,” Whitener said, explaining that municipalities have a range of projected collections.
“I hate it. I hate it for the people of Blue Ridge,” Whitener replied when asked about the latest allegations and arguments. “Their worries are not who likes who. Our citizens deserve to have a community where they feel like they can approach their leaders and be able to get good answers. We’re here to serve. We’re not here to fight.”
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Project Chimps : Concerns Raised Over Animal Welfare
Community, News April 13, 2020
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Project Chimps, a sanctuary for retired medical research chimpanzees, is coming under fire as former employees and volunteers are speaking out about the lack of care given to the great apes housed at the reserve.
Project Chimps is refuting these claims, stating that this misinformation is being fueled by a “former employee and her personal supporters who do not support Project Chimp’s mission and appear to have a personal agenda”.
Crystal Alba, a former caregiver, went public with information via Facebook earlier this month.
Painelle showing injury to teeth.
Alba says that the specific reason given for being terminated was “failure to report a welfare concern or injury after Painelle’s (a chimp at the sanctuary) teeth were smashed in”. However, Alba feels that she was let go for voicing her concerns about the chimps’ welfare over the past year.
Among these concerns, Alba points out specifically that Project Chimps is lacking proper living conditions and medical care for the chimpanzees.
“I’ve spent three years documenting everything as part of my job and I will continue to use that documentation to be a voice for the chimps,” Alba wrote and added in a later post, “We do NOT want funding pulled from the chimps, but someone needs to be held accountable for allowing management to continue this pattern of neglect while more chimps continue to be added.”
Several employees and volunteers came forward after Alba’s public posting and are backing what the former employee is saying about management being the problem and unfortunately the chimps are the ones that are being hurt through poor decision making.
Lindsay Vanderhoogt, who was hired in April 2016 as part of the foundational staff, said regarding her experience, “From the beginning of my time at PC (Project Chimps) to when I left in February 2018, the sanctuary became a different place. I have many concerns about what’s currently going on at the sanctuary but of course can only speak to my experience and what I have witnessed first hand.”
Vanderhoogt says that her experience with Project Chimps was a lack of overall organization and a lack of support for the chimp care staff: “Now more than ever it seems that instead of the focus being on the chimps and their welfare, it’s now focused on image and pulling in as much money as possible.”
Lucy Becerra, former Donations Coordinator, agrees with Vanderhoogt, “I know a lot of funding was spent on unnecessary promotional marketing to get more funding and made a priority over the chimps and their care.”
Becerra points to a specific example of Project Chimps first Discovery Days stating that there was unnecessary funding for a mass order of the chimp chili recipe cards that were made, and a mass order of shirts of different colors that were not to the Administrations’ liking. Becerra says these shirts were ripped up specifically so that neither the staff nor the public could use or wear them and that these shirts were then thrown away.
“Funding was never an issue, it’s the management and questions on where funding was really being put towards and reported if even being reported,” Becerra said of Project Chimps finances adding, “It was all about presentation and the image they wanted to portray to social media and donors.”
Many of the former employees point to donations being misused to “keep up appearances” instead of going towards the direct care of the chimps.
Among projects being funded, according to former employees, is a “Genius Bar” for interns to sit and work, a classroom, development of a glamping site, and new carts to drive guests around on tours.
Project Chimps Executive Director Ali Crumpacker says that these claims are false and that donations have always been reported and accounted for. Crumpacker also states that the top priority of Project Chimps is the chimpanzees themselves, and that their care comes before promotional advertising.
When asked about the claim of monies not being reported, Crumpacker said, “We are entirely transparent on our finances” and noted that all finance reports can be found on the Project Chimps website.
Concern has also been raised over the Chateau, a brand new building funded by the McGrath Family Foundation of California.
According to Alba problems in this new building include poor drainage, peeling paint, lack of platforms and poorly conceived door placement. Alba says that door placement has actually resulted in chimps from separate groups being able to fight one another.
“Water leaks into the walls causing moldy insulation,” Alba said, “Speaking of porches, they get almost no sunlight due to a solid platform built over them, intended to be a viewing area for donors.”
“That’s why we have a full time maintenance team,” Crumpacker refuted these claims saying like any building there will be issues, but that Project Chimps employees a full time maintenance team for this purpose and that any issues that arise are dealt with in a timely fashion.
Some former employees also claim that the chimps are not receiving proper nutrition and that meals are not being customized for a chimp’s individual health needs.
An example given of this is Precious, an older female, who arrived at Project Chimps in August 2018 with known kidney disease. According to Alba, in over a year no physical or lab work was done to monitor Precious’ health and while a urinalysis in March of 2020 showed high protein levels, nothing was done.
“In the meantime, she’s lost weight, muscle, and hair,” Alba spoke of Precious, “We continue to use her kidney disease in social media posts to ask for donations, but we have no idea if/how it’s progressing and there are no plans to find out.”
(L) Precious soon after arriving to Project Chimps (R) A recent photo of Precious
“Recently we switched to a different chow because it’s cheaper and this coincided with a lot of our weight loss/hair loss/parasite issues,” Alba wrote about the nutritional care given at Project Chimps, “It’s higher in starch which contributes to proliferation of balantidium, a common parasite among the PC chimps.”
Current Chimpanzee Caregiver Tawnya Williams went on record to say the claims about nutrition and chimp Precious are completely false.
Williams, who has been with Project Chimps for three years, has 13 years of primate experience and 20 years in animal care. Before coming to Project Chimps, Williams served as Primary Chimpanzee Keeper at the Chattanooga Zoo.
“We are very careful,” Williams said of monitoring food intake.
Williams spoke of one of the more common problems faced when feeding the chimpanzees. Lower ranking chimps can sometimes have their food taken by higher ranking chimps in the group: “If a chimp does get its food stolen. We problem solve that.”
Williams said that not only is each chimp’s food monitored for proper caloric and nutritional intake but also that caregivers will often separate through coaxing the lower ranking members of a group during feeding to make sure that they are getting exactly what they need.
Williams addressed Precious in particular saying that she is being monitored and is receiving the proper nutritional routine for her condition and at this time her condition is not clinical.
Veterinary Care, or lack there of, is what is most troubling to these individuals who have stepped forward about the welfare of the chimps.
“We originally had two veterinarians on staff, both with years of chimp experience. Now, there is a dog and cat vet at the sanctuary who is managing 79 chimps with absolutely no chimp experience,” Vanderhoogt said of the specialized care the chimps are supposed to be receiving.
Dr. Jim McClearen joined Project Chimps in 2017 as the consulting veterinarian. McClearen works at Tri-County Animal Clinic, a private practice for companion animals.
Also in charge of chimpanzee health is Laura Mayo, whose official title with Project Chimps is Manager of Chimpanzee Care. According to the Project Chimps website, Mayo is a former Assistant Curator of Primates for Zoo Atlanta and joined Project Chimps in 2016.
Many concerns have arisen, from former employees and volunteers, about the lack of medical attention given to the chimps.
The following examples of medical care and documentation were given to FetchYourNews by both current and former staff. Project Chimps replied to each inquiry about these specific chimps and also provided photographic documentation.
Kennedy
Concern : Kennedy is a 12 year old male that is showing extreme hair loss. According to sources McClearen and Mayo claim it is seasonal shedding and nervous plucking, but staff say that the hair loss didn’t begin until Kennedy moved to the Chateau and that no one has witnessed “plucking” which is associated with nervous chimpanzee behavior.
Some believe that the hair loss could be due to a nutritional need, a vitamin deficiency, or lack of sunlight from being housed in the Chateau. All agree that medical caregivers have shown indifference and have not come up with a plan of treatment for Kennedy.
(L) Kennedy in March 2018 (R) Recent photo of Kennedy
Project Chimps Response : Chimpanzee Caregiver Tawnya Williams, when asked about the lack of veterinary care, replied that she was confident in the care that has been given to the chimps and McClearen’s ability to provide this care.
Williams stated that McClearen is on site twice a week, and more if needed, and that he is constantly in contact with other vets and chimpanzee specialists to ensure that the route he is administering is the best route to take.
To understand Kennedy’s hair loss, according to Williams, you have to understand the dynamics of chimpanzees in groups.
“A lot of times you are going to see plucking on higher ranking chimps. Especially if they are working on group dynamics. He is a higher ranking chimp,” Williams stated and added, “Unfortunately for him, it gets a little overgrooming.”
Williams says that the grooming is coming from lower ranking members of the group, and that it is actually a good sign that Kennedy is allowing them to do this as it promotes bonding.
Jermaine
Concern : Jermaine is a 31 year old male who had received a laceration on the bottom of his right foot in Jan. 2020. Jermaine was put on Ceftriaxone, an antibiotic that treats a broad spectrum of infections.
According to Alba, Jermaine’s wound did not respond to this line of antibiotics and McClearen refused to try a new antibiotic.
Alba did say that Jermaine was eventually prescribed to Tramadol for pain. McClearen said to administer 700mg of Tramadol per day. Alba says that the pain medication protocol the vet put in the Project Chimps manual recommends is Tramadol: 5-10mg/kg PO every 8-12 hours. According to this information, Jermaine was being prescribed an overdose of medication.
Four photos showing the progression of Jermaine’s wound.
Project Chimps Response : Crumpacker says that the pictures and allegations of Jermaine only show a partial picture and that the chimp was properly monitored and did receive proper medical care.
Project Chimps provided FetchYourNews with this photo depicting Jermaine’s foot as it is in the present day. The foot appears healed with a only a scar left.
Jermaine’s wound in a recent photo.
Arielle
Concern : Arielle is a nine year old female that began hair plucking after arriving at Project Chimps. Sources tell FetchYourNews that Arielle showed no signs of this abnormal behavior when arriving but since first displaying the behavior, her condition continues to worsen.
Regarding this behavior, sources say that Administration at Project Chimps will write it off as “she’s always done that” or “there is nothing you can do about plucking”.
“She isn’t bullied and has close friendships with the older females in her group,” Alba said of Arielle and her condition, “Her group will be integrated with a group of males in the Spring and I worry what that stress will do to her.”
(L) Arielle in Nov. 2019 (R) Arielle in Feb. 2020
Project Chimps Response : “These types of things take awhile when they go through psychological trauma. Just like in people, moving locations can trigger that,” Crumpacker said of Arielle and noted that Arielle is self-plucking. “It gets resolved and then the hair grows back.”
Williams gave more insight into Arielle stating that she was actually part of the transport team that brought Arielle in: “She is very attached to their alpha female Lindsey, and Lindsey is going into the habitat regularly, and Arielle gets stressed out and little bit worried because Lindsey is going out.”
This is an abnormal behavior that is commonly seen in chimps that are not in the wild according to Williams: “Her plucking is stress related, hers is basically self-soothing.”
Arielle photographed on March 29, 2020 showing hair growing back on shoulders and arms.
Eddie
Concern : Eddie, who will turn 16 this May, got into a fight in Sept. 2019 and sustained a facial injury as a result. Eddie’s caregiver, who had primate experience, noted the wound as “severe”.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) did an inspection of Project Chimps during this time and according to former employees questioned Mayo as to why this wound was only being treated with Ibuprofen.
Sources told FetchYourNews that the wound never healed properly and that Eddie is permanently disfigured.
Eddie’s facial wound.
Project Chimps Response : “Chimpanzees do get wounds. It’s just like any other animal or human,” Crumpacker said and added that unlike other animals stitches are usually not an option.
According to Crumpacker, because of a chimpanzee’s intelligence and their nimble fingers, they will just remove the stitches shortly after they are put in.
Crumpacker states that Eddie’s wound was properly treated and Project Chimps provided FetchYourNews with a current photo of Eddie. Crumpacker also provided the USDA inspection conclusion from this trip citing that Project Chimps was in full compliance.
Eddie after wound healing.
USDA findings from Jan. 2020 visit to Project Chimps.
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) became involved in Jan. 2020 with advocating for the welfare of the Project Chimps’ chimpanzees.
Senior Vice President of PETA Kathy Guillermo, who works in the Laboratory Investigations Department, spoke with FetchYourNews regarding the allegations against Project Chimps.
Guillermo confirmed that several employees and volunteers spoke with PETA about the veterinary care and conditions some of the chimps were living in: “We were really disturbed by what we heard.”
Guillermo says that PETA has no authority to investigate Project Chimps, but that they did reach out to the Project Chimps Board of Directors and to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) since four of the board members work for HSUS.
“We had no response from the Humane Society at all until about a week ago,” Guillermo said and added that initially Project Chimps President Bruce Wagman had agreed to meet with PETA and discuss the allegations, but later refused to meet: “We were told there was an internal investigation and everything was fine.”
“This has just been incredibly frustrating. When an animal needs help, you need to get that animal help and there is no excuse for delay,” Guillermo said of the response received from Project Chimps and the HSUS. “No reason for the kind of silence that we were met with from the Humane Society of the United States.”
An email from Wagman that was forwarded to employees by Project Chimps Executive Director Ali Crumpacker, dated Jan. 30, 2020, backs up that Project Chimps had conducted an internal investigation.
In part the email reads:
“As some of you may know, concerns have been raised about some of our practices. We began an investigation earlier in the month and we will respond to the specific individuals who raised these concerns. We conducted an internal review and also consulted with outside experts in the veterinary and chimpanzee welfare arena. What we discovered when lining up the facts with the claims, was that almost all of the concerns were either based on false statements, unfair mischaracterizations of events, or, at best, honest differences of opinion about our practices and protocols. We found zero actual problems in the chimpanzee welfare area and zero valid concerns with our veterinary efforts.”
This email goes on to outline a review of the nondisclosure agreement (NDA) that employees and volunteers sign upon working for or with Project Chimps. It outlines their open door policy, stating that complaints need to be made to direct supervisors or to the Compliance Officer.
Wagman states in the email that these two policies are in place to “protect Project Chimps from having third party groups, which do not have the full picture or all of the facts or may have agendas of their own, from attacking Project Chimps based on the kind of false information and mischaracterizations that we have seen in the reports we received.”
“PETA has no authority to conduct an investigation there, so we turned the allegations over to the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), which is the body that accredits sanctuaries and accredited Project Chimps,” Guillermo stated of PETA’s efforts.
Guillermo says that she has been told that GFAS has looked into the allegations against Project Chimps and has made recommendations for improvements.
Guillermo spoke of the chimps’ pasts in a lab and said, “The last thing anybody wants to see is these animals put in conditions that are anything less than optimal.”
GFAS Executive Director Valerie Taylor also spoke with FetchYourNews regarding the concern analysis performed on Project Chimps.
Taylor says that GFAS became involved in Feb. 2020 after whistleblower complaints came to the organization via GFAS’ website: “Our standard operating procedure when we receive those concern forms via our website is always to follow up and conduct an analysis.”
Project Chimps has been accredited by GFAS since Jan. 2018.
Taylor acknowledged that recommendations had been made to Project Chimps and said, “It is really rare for any accredited sanctuary, that goes through our GFAS process and goes before a GFAS accreditation committee, to not come away from that without recommendations.”
“We certainly didn’t find anything that was an emergency as far as animal welfare and animal health,” Taylor said of her agency’s findings. “What we found is just some systems that need to be put into place so that it will help the sanctuary, particularly as they look to increase their population of animals retiring out of laboratories.”
When asked about her overall feelings on the practices of Project Chimps, Taylor said there were “no concerns for animal or human safety there.”
Executive Director Ali Crumpacker sent out a statement in a letter to volunteers, after concerns began to be made, that reads in part:
“It is clear that the bulk of what has been alleged to date is false. The rest appears to be based on partial information, half-truths, gross misinterpretations presented out of context to PETA. The allegations originated with a small group of detractors with their own agenda who no longer support our mission.”
“We are confident we will manage to clear all of the allegations made against us. Our major donors have already signaled unflagging support. As volunteers your continued support is also essential to helping us achieve that end. Thank you.”
Crumpacker did confirm that Project Chimps had already been proactively looking for a new Director of Chimpanzee Care (veterinarian) after McClearen announced that he would be retiring. There are candidates that Project Chimps has been in contact with but could not provide more information at this time.
According to Guillermo many of the complaints could be fixed by simply having experts on the grounds to care for the chimps.
Those who are speaking out are calling for the same actions as Guillermo suggests and a change in leadership.
“What I believe needs to happen at Project Chimps is structural change,” former employee Vanderhoogt said, adding, “The Board needs to be refreshed and the leadership at the organization needs to be removed. People with actual chimp experience need to be put in place so that the chimps can have people working on their behalf who truly understand the issues of working with chimpanzees.”
Current employees, like Williams who spoke on the record, feel that the leadership at Project Chimps is doing a great job: “They are more open to input from employees than most places that I’ve worked. They definitely took all of the allegations seriously. I have no questions about Project Chimps being the best welfare for the chimps.”
As for Painelle, who was pictured at the beginning of this article having suffered a mouth wound, according to both Crumpacker and Williams she is doing fine and resolved the issue on her own.
Williams said, after noting that Project Chimps was monitoring her condition closely, “She did take care of them herself. It was the best for her welfare for a whole bunch of different reasons.”
Sedation, according to Williams, is difficult for a chimpanzee because it is a scary experience for the chimp itself and it also disrupts dynamics having the chimp removed and then reintroduced to the group. Williams also noted that in the wild chimpanzees due tend to and take care of their wounds on their own.
After concerns were raised via social media, Project Chimps did have Jocelyn Bezner, VMD, a primate consultant, visit the sanctuary and examine the 79 chimpanzees housed there. Bezner released the following statement about her findings:
“I have spent the past three days at Project Chimps assessing each individual chimpanzee and find everyone to be healthy and well cared for. I have no medical concerns at this time and see minimal abnormal behaviors. Every organization has room for improvement and I look forward to helping Project Chimps provide the best quality of veterinary care to their residents.”
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DA Sosebee begins information campaign in schools
News, Videos September 14, 2018
ELLIJAY, Ga – The Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s District Attorney, Alison Sosebee, began her campaign today in Fannin Middle School and Gilmer High School with presentations for students about the rising trend of vaping in all forms.
Speaking to the students she shared some of the responses that authorities have begun included harsher penalties for vape devices in general, not to mention the felonies possible with controlled substances. Using drugs in the vape devices like the popular Juul brand devices is only a part of growing concerns as authorities and administrations fear for students who expect non-nicotine flavored water vapor in devices they may find friends with when in reality these devices could contain anything from Heroin to Synthetic Marijuana.
Sosebee also invited Georgia Bureau of Investigations Special Agent Dustin Hamby to speak about the Bureau’s involvement. Hamby noted that almost 90% of his cases tied to drug usage in some way. He goes on to note that he’s had three murders in his career directly related to drug usage.
Sosebee recalled the story of a case she and Hamby shared about a guy who had taken drugs with a close friend. Under the influence, he grew greatly agitated at his friend and violently murdered him without full realization. He spoke further about how little it takes to blow up into major consequences in situations like vaping unknown substances.
Sosebee also noted that they are finding that many students and users of vape devices believe them safer than regular cigarettes. She noted that not only is there zero research to support his claim, but there is also no research or regulations on vaping devices right now. No one can tell you everything that is in Vape Juice, nor if people at smoke shops are adding extra ingredients. She called the students this generations guinea pigs for testing if vaping as they would be the cases that doctors study thirty years from now to determine the actual effects that Vaping can have in both short-term and long-term effects.
Only the first day, Sosebee is expected to travel to Fannin High, Pickens High, and Pickens Middle schools in the next two weeks along with possibly adding Gilmer Middle as well.
JQC Dismisses all Claims against Judge Brenda Weaver
Featured, News October 1, 2017
“No evidence has been presented to show any violation of code of Judicial Ethics by Judge Weaver. Instead, the evidence appears to show a personal dislike of the Judge.”
Last week the Georgia Judicial Qualification Commission dismissed the complaint against Appalachian Judicial District Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver.
Judge Brenda Weaver
“The complaint of Thomason, Stookey, Doss and the GCSPJ are without any basis in law or fact. The complaints are nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to enlist the JQC in their fixation upon harming Judge Weaver. The JQC will have no further part in it. All complaints are hereby dismissed.”
The complaint was submitted to the JQC by Mark Thomason, former publisher of the Fannin Focus, his attorney Russell Stookey and Fannin County Attorney Lynn Doss.
In the JQC conclusions they addressed the Georgia Chapters Society of Professionals Journalist complaint that Weaver mounted an attack on freedom of the press.
“Calling oneself a “journalist” and “reporter” should not be a cover for pursuing personal vendettas.”
Stookey and Thomason with the assistance of Fannin County Attorney Lynn Doss raised a complaint to the FBI to initiate an investigation.
JQC, “The FBI investigated the allegations raised by Stookey and Thomason but found no wrongdoing.”
On June 15th Atlanta Attorney Gerry Weber, representing Russell Stookey and Mark Thomason, sent a demand letter and Ante Litem Notice to Judge Brenda Weaver, District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee and Pickens County Board of Commissioners.
Part of Weber’s summary of claim, “This case has already garnered national attention. It involves breathtaking abuse of power by a Judge, prosecutor, and law enforcement who manipulated the criminal justice system to wage a personal vendetta against a local newspaper publisher and his attorney.”
Weber’s claim for damages conclusion, “Further accounting for damages stemming from the emotional distress in false arrest and malicious prosecution and for the punitive damages due to egregiousness of the actions leading to the arrests, Stookey’s and Thomason’s damages exceed 1,000,000.”
How far will this case go considering the FBI and JQC have closed their investigation both dismissing the possible charge of wrongdoing.
Click to read “Fannin Focus Publisher Mark Thomason Arrested, Journalist or Vendetta?
Update on Tragic boating accident on Lake Blue Ridge results in fatality – Arrest made charges pending
Featured June 11, 2017
A serious boating accident on Lake Blue Ridge on Saturday, June 10th 2017 resulted in one fatality and one injury.
FetchYourNews.com received an update at approximately 4 pm Sunday June 11th 2017. FYN has received the profile report of Chad Philip Haase who has charges pending at this time. It is believed Haase was operating the boat at the time of the accident.
Sources tell us warrants are being issued and DNR will be charging. Possible charges are DUI and Homicide with a Vessel. In addition it is believed a warrant will be issued to search the boat. DNR has 48 hours to file the charges. There is currently a continuing investigation with their Law Enforcement Critical Incident Reconstruction Team. This is the arrest report from Fannin County Sheriff’s Office:
Initial post below:
FetchYourNews.com has talked with local Fannin County Sheriff’s office and DNR who are actively investigating. The DNR Law Enforcement Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is on the scene.
The following update was received from Mark McKinnon, Public Affairs Officer, Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division:
At approximately 6:00 p.m. Saturday, DNR Game Wardens responded to a boating incident in Fannin County on Lake Blue Ridge that resulted in one fatality and one injury. Initial observations indicated that the two victims were being towed in a tube behind a vessel when the tube struck the shoreline. The injured victim was transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga by air ambulance. The DNR Critical Incident Reconstruction Team, along with the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the incident and charges are pending. Upon notification of next of kin, names of those involved will be released.
Update on Tragic boating accident on Lake Blue Ridge resulting in fatality and arrest – Victim’s name released
Featured June 11, 2017
A serious boating accident on Lake Blue Ridge on Saturday, June 10th 2017 resulted in one fatality, one injury and one arrest.
FetchYourNews.com received an update from Mark McKinnon, Public Affairs Officer, Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division at approximately 7pm Sunday the 11th.
Operator, Chad Haase, was towing two persons on a tube behind a ski boat when the tube struck the shoreline. One male subject, David Harvey Payseur III, was pronounced dead by Fannin County Coroner a short time after being brought back to the lake marina area. Another female subject, Deborah Brooks, sustained lacerations to both upper legs. After also being transported by boat to the marina area, and waiting EMS, she was then transported by ambulance to Fannin Regional Hospital, and then to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga Tennessee. The operator of the towing vessel, Chad Haase, was subsequently arrested for BUI. After further investigation, Mr. Haase was charged with Homicide By Vessel in the 1st Degree, Serious Injury by Vessel, BUI (Less Safe), Reckless Operation, and V.G.C.S.A (Possession of Marijuana Less than 1 Oz.)Deceased victim – David Harvey Payseur III, age 47, of Atlanta, GAInjured victim – Deborah Brooks, age 48, of Morganton, GAVessel Operator (arrested) – Chad Philip Haase, age 44, of Atlanta, GA
This is the arrest report from Fannin County Sheriff’s Office:
Initial post below:
FetchYourNews.com has talked with local Fannin County Sheriff’s office and DNR who are actively investigating. The DNR Law Enforcement Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is on the scene.
The following update was received from Mark McKinnon, Public Affairs Officer, Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division:
At approximately 6:00 p.m. Saturday, DNR Game Wardens responded to a boating incident in Fannin County on Lake Blue Ridge that resulted in one fatality and one injury. Initial observations indicated that the two victims were being towed in a tube behind a vessel when the tube struck the shoreline. The injured victim was transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga by air ambulance. The DNR Critical Incident Reconstruction Team, along with the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the incident and charges are pending. Upon notification of next of kin, names of those involved will be released.
Tragic boating accident on Lake Blue Ridge results in fatality
News June 11, 2017
A serious boating accident on Lake Blue Ridge on Saturday, June 10th 2017 resulted in one fatality and one injury.
FetchYourNews.com has talked with local Fannin County Sheriff’s office and DNR who are actively investigating. The DNR Law Enforcement Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is on the scene.
The following update was received from Mark McKinnon, Public Affairs Officer, Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division:
At approximately 6:00 p.m. Saturday, DNR Game Wardens responded to a boating incident in Fannin County on Lake Blue Ridge that resulted in one fatality and one injury. Initial observations indicated that the two victims were being towed in a tube behind a vessel when the tube struck the shoreline. The injured victim was transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga by air ambulance. The DNR Critical Incident Reconstruction Team, along with the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the incident and charges are pending. Upon notification of next of kin, names of those involved will be released.
Fannin County Tip Off Club Reports the Fannin Sheriff will conduct an investigation into the misappropriation of funds
News February 20, 2017
Scott Ramsey, Ed.D., Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Fannin County High School sent FYN notification of a meeting held Monday night, 7pm on February 20th, 2017. The meeting was held in the new gym conference room with the Fannin County Tip Off Club. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss an issue concerning club funds.
The Fannin County Tip Off Club reported tonight the Fannin County Sheriff will be conducting a full blown investigation into misappropriation of funds. FYN will update as more information becomes available. Watch Good Morning from the Office with BKP tomorrow on FYNTV.com 8am-10am. He will have the video and full report.
Ethics and Advertisements 8/25/16
GMFTO August 25, 2016
BKP looks at an article about the Ethics and a Complaint he logged for campaign finances in Fannin’s recent elections.
State National 8/23/16
GMFTO August 23, 2016
BKP and George recall political predictions and continue the discussion on our American Oligarchy.
Mayor Donna Whitener 7/1/16
GMFTO July 2, 2016
Blue Ridge City Mayor Donna Whitener sits down on GMFTO to discuss the city, park, and recent investigations.
Fannin and the BRCC 6/15/16
GMFTO June 15, 2016
BKP highlights the fallout of the Jarrard and Davis Investigation, what it’s like to be an Attorney in Blue Ridge, and the City Councils folly.
Scearce refused to take polygraph in GBI Investigation- read full report
Election, Featured, Featured Stories, News, Politics May 16, 2016
Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce wants to be the next Fannin County Sheriff. He boasts of his law enforcement career of 35 years. You have seen the signs, “Choose Johnny.” His website is full of positive accomplishments, “Integrity & Experience – That’s the difference!” Scearce is planning to end hunger in Fannin County by planting a community garden using inmates. He wants to remove the county from the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force. Scearce claims his plan is to put his own trained agents to rid the county of drugs and use what’s confiscated from drug busts to benefit Fannin county. He has also promised that the Sheriff’s office will be transparent.
Transparency? Johnny Scearce convinced the Blue Ridge City Council to purchase a licence plate scanner. Scearce told the council about how much he could raise revenue with the scanner. Claiming it would pay for itself in a couple of months. The scanner cost approximately $19,000. Click here to watch the video of Scearce’s licence plate scanner presentation to the city council.
On April 4th. FetchYourNews.com did an open records request asking for licence plate scanner detailed reports. Chief of Police Johnny Scearce sent my request to city attorney David Syfan. Syfan has come up with several reasons as to why FYN can not see the reports. As of May 15th we have received no reports. If elected will Scearce purchase licence plate scanners for deputy cars. Will he scan every tag in the county? Transparency?
Scearce wants to pull out of the drug task force. On February 9th FYN sent the City of Blue Ridge the following open records request: “Please provide the complete file of everything confiscated by the Blue Ridge City Police Department from 1/1/2008 – 2/9/2016.
Include all drug, property, cars, guns, EVERYTHING………… The complete file from confiscation to liquidation.” Once again city attorney David Syfan responded for Scearce. Syfan quoted a ridiculous amount of time to fill the request and it would cost hundreds and possibly thousands to fill the request. Poor record keeping should not cost citizens extra when making a request. Georgia open records laws say that they can choose to charge for records. As of May 15th FYN has not received anything from our request. One questions if Scearce won’t let us see the confiscated records of the city will he be transparent and show us what he confiscates within the county. If elected he wants to pull out of the Drug Task Force. The Drug Task Force has several layers of accountability when it comes to confiscated items.
Johnny Scearce spent most of 2005 as the center point, alleged suspect, of a Georgia Bureau of Investigations case. (Click here to read the GBI file on the case)
On October 26, 2004 Clifford Richard “Rick” Jones walked into BB&T bank in Blue Ridge and sat down at the desk of loan officer Rhonda Taylor and requested a loan using the name William James Prowse. Prowse “Jones” had no identification. This is where Scearce comes into the story.
The follow statements are taken from the GBI investigation. (Click here to read the GBI file).
This is where our story starts.
“On January 13, 2005 Special Agent J.K. Crook talked with Appalachian Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Cathy Cox-Brakefield regarding this case. Agent Crook was told that an inmate in the Gilmer County Detention Center, Rick Jones, gave information to his attorney that Blue Ridge Police Chief, Johnny Scearce, assisted him in obtaining a fraudulent loan with BB&T bank in Blue Ridge.”
“Special Agent J.K. Crook conducted an interview with Clifford Richard “Rick” Jones, Nick name “Yank”. Jones was incarcerated”
“Jones stated essentially the following. Jones applied for a $3,800 loan at BB&T bank in Blue Ridge. Jones knew he would not be able to get a loan using his real name and identification so he told the loan officer, Rhonda Taylor, that his name was William Prowse. Jones had taken Prowse identity and memorized his social security number and date of birth. Prowse had no knowledge that Jones was using his identity. Taylor requested an identification card on Jones under the name Prowse. He told Taylor that he had lost his licence. Jones told her that Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce could vouch for him that he was Prowse. Taylor agreed to let Scearce vouch for him. Jones later went by Scearce’s office, called Taylor and then put Scearce on the phone to Taylor and had him vouch for Jones as Prowse. Scearce said to Taylor, “I’m sitting here with William Prowse.”
“Scearce told Taylor that he had known Prowse (Jones) for over twenty years. He told Taylor that Prowse had a nickname, “Yank”, and that Prowse played ball with Scearce. Scearce told Taylor that Jones real name was William Prowse”.
“Jones even obtained another $2,000 in the form of a cash advance. Jones fraudulently obtained a total of $5,800 from the bank with Scearce’s help.”
“On January 14, 2005 Special Agent J.K Crook conducted an interview with Rhonda Taylor.”
(Click here to read GBI report)
“ Jones represented himself as William Prowse to her in October 2004 and applied for a loan. He had no identification and said he lost his license. Taylor confirmed information received from Jones. Jones told Taylor that Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce knew him and could vouch for who he was, she figured that if sceare could, that would be good enough for her. She would not question the Chief’s integrity. Jones left the bank and a short time later she received a call from Jones. He was in Scearce’s office and put Scearce on the phone. Scearce vouched for Jones saying that his real name was William Prowse. Scearce said he had know Jones (Prowse) a long and had played ball with him. Scearce called Taylor back later that day and told her her was not co-signing with Prowse for the loan.”
“On March 7th Special Agent J.K. Crook spoke to Fannin County Investigator Greg Newman regarding the case.”
“Investigator Newman talked with Johnny Scearce about the allegations made by Jones. Johnny Scearce told investigator Newman that he had talked to Rhonda Taylor at BB&T Bank in Blue Ridge but told her the man getting the loan was named Rick Jones. Johnny Scearce denied telling Ms. Taylor that Jones name was William Prowse.”
“On tuesday March 22nd GBI Special Agent in Charge J.A. Cagle transferred responsibility for the case to GBI Special Agent Kimberly Williams.”
(Click here to read GBI Report)
“On May 5th Special Agent Kimberly Williams and Kenny Crook of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office interviewed Johnny Scearce, the Chief of Police of Blue Ridge with regard to his involvement in the investigation.”
“Scearce stated that he had not seen Jones in a long time until he walked into Chief Scearce’s office about a loan. Scearce had only ever known Jones through playing softball together. Jones was said to have an alias name of “Yank”. Scearce stated Rhonda Taylor of BB&T Bank of Blue Ridge wanted someone to verify Jones identity. Scearce stated he had always known Jones as Rick Jones and also knew that Jones went by the name William Prowse. Jones was said to have offered Scearce $200 to verify who he was to Rhonda Taylor of BB&T. Scearce stated he did not take any money from Jones. Jones contacted Rhonda Taylor via telephone at the bank and Scearce told Taylor that he had played ball with Rick Jones for approximately ten years and knew him as Rick Jones. Because Jones was sitting in Scearce’s office, he was unable to tell Taylor about the additional information that Jones went by another name. Scearce stated he went out to his car and called Taylor back on his cell phone to tell her that Jones had also been using an alias of William Prowse and had been in jail. At that point Taylor made the comment that she did not know if she would give Jones the loan. Scearce stated he advised she could do whatever she needed to, but he was not vouching for Jones, simply stating who Jones was. Scearce also told Rhonda Taylor that Jones went by the name “Yank”.”
“When questioned further about the incident, Scearce stated he heard Rick Jones had been given loans by the bank and defaulted on the loans in the past. Scearce stated that information was hearsay. Special Agent Williams asked Scearce why the bank would not then recognize Jones if they had previously given him loans?”
“Scearce explained the reason he knew Rick Jones also by the name William Prowse was because of a vehicle stop that was conducted by one of the Blue Ridge police officers some years ago in which Jones presented himself as William Prowse. When Scearce called to find out the specifics of the stop, he learned that the situation was actually Rick Jones’ car was being worked on at an automotive place in Blue Ridge and Frank Johnson found a William Prowse ID in Rick Jones’ car.”
“Special Agent Williams confronted Scearce with the information that loan officer, Rhonda Taylor, provided. Taylor said Scearce verified that the individual receiving the loan was William Prowse, not Rick Jones. Scearce was extremely upset and stated he would take a polygraph test. Scearce swore that he never told Rhonda Taylor that Rick Jones was William Prowse. Scearce indicated that there may have been something that Taylor held against him from high school, but that the two had not had a problem otherwise as a motive for why she was saying that Scearce verified the individual receiving the loan was William Prowse.”
“Special Agent Williams then asked Scearce why he felt the need to call Taylor back and explain to her that Rick Jones also went by the name of William Prowse. Scearce just felt she needed to know the information. Special Agent Williams explained to Scearce that the loan was written in William Prowse’s name, so what he was telling law enforcement did not fit the story. Special Agent Williams tried to explain to Scearce that there would be absolutely no reason to bring up an alias from ten years previous if he did not have prior knowledge that the loan was being applied for in the name of William Prowse. In other words, if the scenario that Chief presented to Special Agent Williams was in fact true, he was the only individual that brought up the name William Prowse, which is the name that the loan was in. Scearce swore that he had not verified Rick Jones was actually William Prowse. Scearce said he told Rhonda Taylor that Rick Jones had an alias of William Prowse because Jones was “fishy” and he just needed to tell her that information. Continually Scearce said he did not think anyone knew Rick Jones as William Prowse.”
“At the conclusion of the interview with Scearce, he asked Agent Williams what would happen. Special Agent Williams advised Scearce that she would complete the investigation and provide the findings to the District Attorney’s office for a decision as to whether or not it would be presented to the grand jury. Scearce seemed to be very upset over the matter.”
(Click here to read GBI report)
“Once the interview with Scearce concluded, Special Agent Williams and Investigator Kenny Crook met with Cliff Stitcher of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office in Fannin County. Special Agent Williams and Investigator Crook relayed what had been told to them during the course of the interview with Johnny Scearce. Stitcher advised Williams and Crook that Scearce had come to him with letters from Rick Jones a while back and told him exactly the opposite. Scearce said he called the bank and proclaimed that the individual in his office was William Prowse. It should be noted that the individual who was arrested in relation to a crime with the loan in question is Rick Jones. Stitcher had concerns that Scearce told him exactly the opposite of what he had told investigators that day.”
“It should also be noted Special Agent Williams was advised the following day, May 6th, that Johnny Scearce had filed a formal complaint with BB&T Bank, whom his brother was president of, against Rhonda Taylor. Williams learned the information from District Attorney Joe Hendricks. District Attorney Hendricks was concerned because the incident happened in January of 2005, which allowed Scearce plenty of time to make a formal complaint against Taylor prior to investigators speaking with him. Hendricks felt that the act may possibly fall under influencing a witness.”
“On May 17th Special Agent Kimberly Williams interviewed Greg Newman. Investigator Newman advised Williams that recently, the bank investigators had talked with Johnny Scearce and Rhonda Taylor. Apparently, Scearce made comments that they cannot prove he called Rhonda Taylor and vouched for Rick Jones as William Prowse. Scearce supposedly made comments that it was his word against hers, and who were they going to believe, the Chief of Police. Scearce apparently volunteered to take a polygraph.”
“Tuesday May 17th special agent Kimberly Williams interviewed Rhonda Taylor, a bank loan officer for BB&T Bank. Taylor stated essentially the following:
On Wednesday May 11th 2015, BB&T corporate security arrived at the bank in Blue Ridge to talk to her and Johnny Scearce. Corporate security took it upon themselves to put the two face to face. The corporate security officer was Gabe Parks. Parks stated he wanted to put the two together and try to close the gap. Taylor advised special agent Williams she had learned through corporate security they had become involved and put the two face to face at the request of the District Attorney’s office. Also present during the interview was DA’s investigators Kenny Crook who said the DA’s office had not made such a request. Investigator Crook simply tried to find out if a complaint have been filed against Taylor.”
“Taylor stated that she felt very intimidated during the meeting with Scearce because he essentially called her a liar, and was very upset. According to Taylor, she had not felt scared or intimidated since, however, the two individuals being thrust together to talk about a different version of what happened was very uncomfortable. Taylor stated that recently, Mike Scearce, Johnny Scearce’s brother, had become the city executive BB&T Bank in Blue Ridge. Taylor actually told investigators that she was unaware that Johnny Scearce had lodged a complaint but thought that made sense based on the actions of BB&T corporate security. It was stated that neither she nor her husband had any problems with Scearce in high school or since.”
“During the meeting with corporate security, Scearce that stated that Rick Jones was a “maggot” and would not let Jones use his phone. He said he did not call and say that Rick Jones was William Prowse. Scearce said the individual he was vouching for was Rick Jones and also mentioned that Rick Jones had offered him $200 to vouch for him with Rhonda Taylor. Scearce stated that he did not need the money. Taylor then told Scearce that he was being loud and she did not appreciate him calling her a liar. Scearce said that he did call Rhonda Taylor back and that was when he told her the individual was also known as William Prowse.”
“Special agent Williams asked Taylor to remember what had originally been said during the loan application process. Taylor stated the individual now known as Rick Jones came to BB&T bank and claimed he was William Prowse. Jones filled out a hand-written application and provided all appropriate information, however, did not have a picture ID. The loan was for $3,800. Initially, the individual claiming to be Prowse stated that he lost his identification in the truck and went outside to look. When the individual came back, he said he must have left his identification at home. Taylor told Jones also known as Prowse that he could go to the State Patrol Post to get another identification. Jones stated that his wife would have to mail him a birth certificate so he could obtain his identification. Jones then left the bank and called back, with Chief of Police Johnny Scearce on the telephone. According to Taylor, Jones also known as Prowse called on the telephone but was with Scearce. Scearce was on the phone and verify that the individual in his office was William Prowse and also stated his nickname was “Yank”. Scearce then called back minutes later to tell Taylor that he was not co-signing on any loan with the individual. Taylor explained that she simply needed to verify the individual’s identity which was William Prowse. At that time, Scearce told Taylor that Prowse also goes by the name Jones, but his real identity was William Prowse.”
“Because of what occurred, Taylor indicated that she was written up in her personnel file and the President said that they are not going to reinvestigate the matter due to Corporate Security’s recent interest. According to Taylor, the bank’s policy on loans is each person has a set approval rate. They can singularly approve loans. The tellers and the loan officers are to know their customer, have proper identification, and an application. The particular loan in question was an unsecured loan and it met within the limits of what Taylor could approve without another individual’s approval.”
“According to Taylor, Scearce had come into the bank on April 25th to apply for a personal loan. The Chief had no problem and vocalized no problems with Taylor at that time.”
(Click here to read GBI report)
“On May 18th Special Agent Kimberly Williams and District Attorney’s Office investigator Kenny Crook interviewed Rick Jones.
Jones stated that he offered to pay Johnny Scearce $500 to vouch for him as William Prowse. Scearce told him he did not want the money, however, if he ever needed anything, he would let Jones know. Jones indicated that he was strung out or under the heavy influence of methamphetamine at the time, and if Scearce had been any friend at all, he would not have agreed to contact the bank in effort to help him facilitate a loan.
Jones stated that he went to Scearce’s office at the police department. Scearce spoke with Rhonda Taylor of BB&T and told her that William said he was having a hard time getting a loan with no identification. At no time did Jones hear Scearce make any statement about his true identity, which was Rick Jones, to Rhonda Taylor. Although Scearce did tell Taylor he knew Jones as “Yank”.”
“On Friday July 8th Special Agent Kimberly Williams contacted Gabriel Parks of BB&T corporate security. Parks handles investigations within the BB&T Banks. Williams asked Parks if he was involved in a confrontation between Rhonda Taylor and Johnny Scearce. Parks advised he conducted an interview between the two after receiving information that Scearce made allegations against Taylor for lying. According to Parks, Johnny Scearce called his brother after the GBI interview and advised him that Rhonda Taylor was lying about Scearce vouching for Rick Jones to BB&T Bank. The original investigation was completed by Parks, but when the new allegation against Taylor arose, Parks decided to interview Taylor again. Parks also thought it would be a good idea to have Scearce present.”
“Special agent Williams explained that the District Attorney’s office was very concerned, as was Williams that the bank personnel had been manipulated by Scearce into confronting Taylor. Williams advised Parks that the confrontation between Scearce and Taylor was intimidating at best. Parks admitted putting the two in a room together with probably not a good idea, but was a decision he made. Parks indicated Scearce ranted and yelled about Taylor lying and Taylor never lost her composure. Taylor even confronted Scearce about what he told her, which was that he, said the individual, was known as William Prowse. Taylor never wavered despite how mad Scearce got. Parks stated he used all of his interview techniques on Taylor and she consistently told the same version of what happened.”
“Parks thought that it was odd Scearce would go to such lengths to convince everyone that he did not vouch for Rick Jones as William Prowse. Scearce said that he told Taylor the individual was Rick Jones. Taylor stated what Scearce said was not true, Scearce actually said the individual was William Prowse. Taylor did not change her version at all. Scearce got loud and animated in the interview.”
“Scearce also volunteered he thought Taylor had problems with him because in the past she quoted him a very high interest rate on a small loan. Parks indicated the interest rate was not controlled by Taylor, and it usually was controlled by the applicant’s credit history. Parks was at a loss as to why Scearce would think Taylor had anything against him at all.”
“Parks admitted he would not have been involved the second time had it not been for Scearce’s complaint to his brother, Mike Scearce.”
“Monday July 11th Special Agent Kimberly Williams and District Attorney’s investigator Kenny Crook went to the Blue Ridge Police Department. Williams and investigator Crook were there to meet with Chief Johnny Scearce regarding a polygraph examination. Chief Scearce admitted he agreed to take the polygraph examination during the original interview regarding this case. Scearce indicated he was still willing to take a polygraph examination. Williams advised Scearce that she scheduled a test for him on Wednesday July 20th at the GBI office in Cleveland, Georgia.”
“Scearce asked if Rhonda Taylor would also be taking a polygraph examination. Williams advised that at that point she had only scheduled an examination for Scearce. But after Scearce took his test she would approach Taylor about taking a test if need arose. Scearce asked if he would fail the polygraph because he was nervous. Williams explained that the instrument utilized during the examination would measure his breathing rate, heartbeat, and other physiological reactions for indication of deception.”
“Scearce again told investigators that Rhonda Taylor was lying. Scearce indicated he told her on the telephone that the loan applicant was Rick Jones also known as “Yank” and said he called her back later to tell her he was also known as William Prowse. Scearce also told investigators he thought Rhonda Taylor had a problem with Scearce because she would not give him a loan for $3,000. Taylor insisted the loan amount had to be $3,500 and she quoted him an 18% interest rate. Scearce said the corporate security person said that was ridiculous when Scearce told him about the personal loan situation.”
“On July 20th Agent Pamela Rushton met with Johnny Scearce at the GBI Region 8 office located in Cleveland, White County, Georgia. The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a polygraph exam concerning allegations that Mr. Scearce had assisted Rick Jones in defrauding BB&T Bank. During the pre-test interview, Mr. Scearce stated essentially the following:
Mr. Scearce was located at the Blue Ridge Police Department in October 2004 when Rick Jones came into his office. It should be noted Mr. Scearce is the Chief of Police of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Mr. Scearce barely recognized Mr. Jones because it had been some time since he had seen him. Also Mr. Scearce stated it appeared Mr. Jones had lost a lot of weight. Mr. Jones stated he did not have an identification on him and the bank would not give him a loan. He asked Mr. Scearce to contact the bank and inform them of his identity. According to Mr. Scearce, Mr. Jones offered $200 to call the bank. Mr. Scearce stated he declined the money, however, he did contact Rhonda Taylor at the bank. He informed Ms. Taylor that he had “Yank” also known as Rick Jones sitting in his office. He disclosed to Ms. Taylor that he had known Mr. Jones for the past ten to fifteen years.”
“When Mr. Jones left, Mr. Scearce stated he re-contacted Ms. Taylor at the bank to inform her that Mr. Jones had stolen identity of a William Prowse. According to Mr. Scearce, Miss Taylor expressed concern whether she should give the loan to Mr. Jones. At this time Mr. Scearce stated he did not want to continue with the pre-test interview for the polygraph exam.”
“ Mr. Joe Hendricks, July 28th, 2005. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if you have any questions concerning this investigation. Sincerely Special Agent Kimberly Williams.”
“Thursday, January 13th 2005, Georgia Bureau of Investigations Region 8 Cleveland was requested to investigate allegations of party to the crime of fraud and identity theft by Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce. Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney Joe Hendricks made the request. Special Agent J.K. Crook responded to the request.”
Several questions remain unanswered as to why this did not go before the grand jury, why was Chief of Police Johnny Scearce not indicted and face trial for this alleged crime?
Usually when law enforcement officers are under investigation and refuse to take a polygraph examination, it is grounds for dismissal. Why didn’t the Blue Ridge City Council terminate Chief of Police Johnny Scearce in 2005 for refusing to take a lie detector test?
What happened to this investigation? Why did it end so abruptly? Why did District Attorney Joe Hendricks not prosecute? Let’s not forget the City of Blue Ridge is currently under investigation now and the next section of the report from Jarrard & Davis is due at the end of this month. Wonder how the Blue Ridge Police Department will make out in the investigation. Could the current DA reopen the case?
