A frustrated Demorest mayor and council voted unanimously Tuesday night to request an FBI investigation into the theft of more than $600,000 from the city’s water fund.Mayor Rick Austin says the vote was prompted by the GBI’s decision to close the case. He says GBI Director Vernon Keenan informed him earlier this year that the state investigation “had been concluded” without any arrests or prosecutions being made. Austin contends the GBI’s investigation was not thorough. He says the agency failed to look into the spending habits of possible suspects identified in an investigation conducted on behalf of the city by former GBI agent turned private investigator, Mike Eason.
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“When I asked the director if financial records had been examined of the suspects outlined in the Eason Investigation he responded that no financial records had been examined to his knowledge,” says Austin. “How can an individual say that they’re investigating $600,000 in cash that has been stolen without examining the financial records of the suspects?”
If this is how the GBI conducts investigation’s then, God help the citizens of Georgia.”
Austin says he has spoken with an FBI Special Agent in Gainesville and they’re reviewing the case. “The GBI is no longer involved and we requested they (FBI) take a look at it.” Austin says that the Department of Justice had already tentatively approved an investigation since the City of Demorest receives federal funds.
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The mayor says if the FBI does not take over the case, the city will then push for a grand jury investigation. He says District Attorney George Christian has agreed to reopen the case if new evidence is presented. There is no timeline on when the FBI will decide.
“I hope they will thoughtfully consider the evidence that’s before them and answer our pleas for assistance,” says Austin. “My ultimate hope for the people of Demorest and Habersham is that we get resolution to this situation. We need closure.” He adds, “This is one of the best orchestrated and most accomplished crimes committed in a small town in Georgia history! How it has not taken a higher priority to close (this case) baffles me and frustrates me. If this is how the GBI conducts investigations then, God help the citizens of Georgia.”
