Clayton Deputy Alicia Parkes Indicted In Bathroom Recording Scandal

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A grand jury retued two indictments Thursday against a Clayton County deputy at the center of a bathroom recording scandal.

Clayton County sheriff’s deputy and spokeswoman Alicia Parkes is the subject of a criminal investigation over an alleged illegal recording. Prosecutors said she was on-duty when she used a cell phone to record audio of a co-worker in a jailhouse bathroom. She faces a charge of unlawful eavesdropping and surveillance.

”Her official duties do not include recording employees who are in a bathroom stall, Clayton County Assistant District Attoey Lalaine Briones said in a Jonesboro courtroom this week.

According to an inteal investigation, Parkes has admitted to making the recording, but she denied the allegations in an exclusive interview with Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne.

”No. I did not admittedly make a recording, Parkes told Winne. ”It’s just unfortunate that I’m going to have to defend myself against things that are blatant lies.

But a judge denied Parkes the opportunity to testify before a grand jury.

Parkes was also indicted on obstruction charges regarding an unrelated incident in April 2008. At the time, she was a Clayton County police officer.

Clayton County police Officer Jeff Burdette told Winne he wanted to arrest Parkes on suspicion of obstructing fellow officers during a 911 call, but he was instructed not to. He said officers responded to a call involving Parkes’ relative, a minor. He said the relative ran from police and when he was caught, Parkes tried to pull him away.

”If you are doing something wrong, it doesn't matter who you are. I have written citations to my own mother, Burdette said.

Channel 2 has leaed that arrangements have been made for Parkes to tu herself in and her bond has been set.