Commissioner criticizes probe of former Augusta fire chief

AUGUSTA - An Augusta commissioner has told its local NAACP members that a special grand jury&#39;s investigation of Ronnie Few, Augusta&#39;s first black fire chief, was a biased account of term in office. <br> <br> District One Commissioner Lee Beard told the group that the recent probe by the grand jury was filled with omissions and inaccuracies designed to mislead the public. <br> <br> Beard said Monday, ``It&#39;s time for our community to know another side of that report.&#39;&#39; He referred to the grand jury&#39;s 124-page report, which was released two weeks ago. <br> <br> The grand jury report called Few a bandit, accusing him of lavish spending, creating slush funds outside the department budget, awarding promotions arbitrarily and obstructing investigators. <br> <br> Robert Howard, vice president of the Augusta chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said ``We feel as though all sides have not been heard.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> In cooperation with the Concerned Ministers of Augusta, a group of black clergy members are organizing a rally to be held early next month to protest the grand jury&#39;s findings. <br> <br> Few left Augusta after two years to head the Washington fire department in 2000. In May, he said he would resign amid questions about his resume and criticism of his management. <br> <br> Few served as Augusta&#39;s chief for two years. He earlier headed the department in East Point. <br> <br> A criminal investigation is looking at funding irregularities uncovered by the grand jury, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/7/192158