GBI asked to investigate New Hope Counseling

ATLANTA - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into spending activities of a counseling center that provides services for several court systems in north Georgia.

This particular investigation of New Hope Counseling was prompted by a request from Enotah Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Raymond George. On September 13, George asked the GBI to check into equipment and supplies purchased by New Hope Counseling but never provided to the accountability courts in the circuit.

New Hope provides group counseling and drug testing services to the Enotah Judicial Circuit accountability courts. In a statement from the GBI, George said he noticed the accountability courts in Lumpkin and Union Counties were operating with minimal supplies and equipment and found information which caused him concern.

The GBI searched New Hope's offices in Gainesville and Cumming earlier this week. Investigators did not indicate what they found in those searches.