DEMOREST — The GBI investigation into $600,000 missing from the City of Demorest has concluded — or has it?
That's the question Demorest Mayor Rick Austin and other city officials are seeking a written answer to after hearing conflicting reports over the past two weeks.
During Tuesday night's city council meeting, a Demorest resident asked Austin the status of the missing money.
"Now is as good a time as any to update you and the rest of the folks," Austin said. "I have, along with our attorney, met with the new district attorney two weeks ago. We reiterated the position that the city had and the agreement that the city had that potentially we would pursue presenting to a grand jury if nothing was done prior to this point."
Austin said he subsequently talked to Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vernon Keenan during a visit to the Capitol about a week and a half ago.
"I asked him about the investigation and he told me verbally that the investigation had concluded," Austin said. "I've asked him for written documentation to give to the city to indicate that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has concluded their investigation. To date, we have not received said letter."
City Attorney Joey Homans said he wrote a letter to Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Christian informing him what city officials had been told and asking him as D.A. to confirm or send the city something in writing.
"When I talked with him, he said as far as he knew the investigation was not concluded," Homans said.
That has left city leaders a little confused about the status of the state probe of missing funds, taken from the city over several years.
"We're kind of sitting here waiting on somebody to let us know whether it's been concluded or not been concluded," Austin said. "We're ready to push forward in either case. That's where it stands at this point."
Following the meeting, Austin spoke further about what the conclusion of the GBI investigation might mean to the city.
"Once we get that in writing from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or the district attorney, it'll certainly allow us to again re-evaluate," Austin said. "I'll tell you that I've had previous conversations with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and they were willing to pursue this but only if other jurisdictions had ceded control of the investigation."
Austin said if no resolution is reached to hold those accountable for the theft of the money, he is not ready to give up.
"Once I get that in writing, I'll pursue whatever avenue I possibly can," Austin said. "I'll tell you that an individual told me recently that I may be the most tenacious person that they have ever seen in pursuit of justice on a particular issue. I'll take that as a compliment. Our citizens certainly deserve that tenacity, and I don't anticipate turning loose anytime soon as we continue to seek justice once again for our citizens."
