One of the candidates in a runoff for Lumpkin County Coroner faces a charge of felony first degree forgery related to a property document, an allegation she denied through her attorney Thursday.
Amanda Jones-Holbrooks posted $5000 bond Thursday morning after turning herself in, Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Lt. Chris Pfrogner said.
"The complaintant, Mr. Ricky Edmondson (Jr.), filed the report with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office on June first, and that would be when the investigation began," Pfrogner said.
Edmondson, according to a sheriff's office report, is Jones-Holbrooks' ex-husband. Edmondson claims he attempted to transfer one acre of his Ashwood Drive property into his parents' name in April.
"Ricky stated when Angela (Angela Clark, attorney) went to file the paperwork at the clerk of court, she noticed that Amanda Jones, also known as Amanda Jones-Holbrooks, had filed a quitclaim deed," a deputy narrative on the report states.
"The property was his, so the deed that was filed showed that Mr. Edmondson had signed that deed over to Ms. Amanda Jones and that it was notarized," Pfrogner said.
Edmondson, according to the report, stated that he'd never signed a quitclaim deed or any other documents transferring the property he said was awarded to him in the couple's 2008 divorce.
"Ricky (Edmondson) stated the signature that was signed on the form was not by him and was forged by Amanda Jones," the report narrative states.
The sheriff's office and Lumpkin County District Attorney’s office investigated the allegation. Authorities applied for and were granted an arrest warrant on the forgery charge Wednesday, according to a news release from Pfrogner.
"Arrangements were made between the sheriff, Ms. Holbrooks and her attorney for her to turn herself in today (Thursday), which she did around seven o-clock in the morning," Pfrogner said.
Ted Cassert of the Fox, Chandler, Homans, Hicks & McKinnon firm in Gainesville is representing Jones-Holbrooks in the criminal case. He said he and his client will cooperate with law enforcement to show no crime was committed.
"Andrea Conarro is Ms. Jones Holbrooks' civil attorney for both a child custody case and a contempt matter. We believe this is and should have remained a civil matter," Cassert said in an emailed statement . "Amanda saved her home from foreclosure due to her ex-husband's non-payments approximately five years ago. She has since then lived and continues to live in this home, pay for this home, and rear her young son in this home. It is this same property that is at issue, months and years later."
Jones-Holbrooks, who works for a local funeral home, faces Jim Sheppard in the July 26 runoff for coroner. The two were the top vote getters in a four-person race in the May primary.
"It is regrettable that these civil matters are being turning into a political ploy. The timing of this warrant appears calculated," Cassert said. "We are hopeful that the people of Lumpkin County will see through this effort to derail Amanda and will stand by her as she fights for her freedom and for her opportunity to serve her community."
The incumbent coroner, Ronald Fortner, came in third in May. He's under indictment on counts of theft by deception and violation of oath of office. He has denied the allegations.
