Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has appointed a committee to review indictments against Hall County Solicitor General Stephanie Woodard in order to recommend to Kemp whether or not he should suspend Woodard from office.
Kemp issued the executive order Friday afternoon, saying the committee will issue a report to him within two weeks.
"(The committee is) hereby appointed as the review commission to determine whether the...indictment relates to and adversely affects the administration of duties by Ms. Woodard such that the rights and interests of the public are adversely affected thereby," the executive order said.
Woodard was indicted on June 18 by a grand jury in Hall County Superior Court on dozens of theft and false statements charges alleging she took thousands of dollars of county money to use for personal expenses between 2018 and 2022. Woodard was arrested and released from the Hall County Jail on bond.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued a statement shortly after Woodard's indictment condemning her actions.
"Those elected to uphold the law must operate honestly, ethically, and transparently, and anything less undermines our system," Carr said. "Theft of taxpayer dollars and falsifying documents to cover up that theft are entirely unacceptable...As a public official, Hall County citizens trusted Solicitor Stephanie Woodard with their community's interests."
The committee will be made up of retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia Harold Melton, Stephens County Solicitor General Ann Pickett and Fulton County Solicitor General Keith Gammage.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2024/7/1252413/georgia-governor-appoints-committee-to-review-stephanie-woodard-indictment