Code enforcement officer Marnitta Ballard accused of stealing campaign signs

Late Monday afteoon, Douglas County deputies arrested a Fulton County code enforcement officer accused of stealing campaign signs.

GA Daily News had the only crew there as deputies led Maitta Ballard away in handcuffs at the Fulton Govement Center on Fulton Industrial Boulevard.

A Douglas County sheriff's investigator said over the weekend, he spotted Ballard driving a truck from which an accomplice hopped out and stole a re-election sign for his boss, Douglas County Sheriff Phil Miller.

Investigator Trent Wilson said Ballard approached him when she realized he had written down her license plate number.

”And I said, ‘Well, is that your property?’ She said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘Well, I work for the Sheriff’s Office,’ and she said, ‘Well, I work for the govement,’ and she pulled off, Wilson told Channel 2’s Mark Winne.

The warrant for her in that incident arrest lists theft for one campaign sign, a misdemeanor, but she could face more charges. Wilson said numerous signs have disappeared across the county.

”Like I said, I just stumbled upon her Saturday, Wilson said.

Channel 2’s Michael Buczyner went to her home Monday evening as investigators removed what appeared to be dozens of signs.

Fulton County police are also investigating Ballard.