Commissioner Accused Of Using Tax Money For Private Party

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - Some community activists say a Clayton County commissioner illegally used taxpayer funds for her personal use.

The group forwarded their conces about Commissioner Gail Hambrick to the district attoey and now that office is looking into the matter, according to Channel 2’s GA Daily News.

Pamela Noah and fellow Clayton County resident Rosa Barbee attended the Board of Commissioners meeting to explain what they say they uncovered.

"I'm here tonight to bring to your attention an injustice that has been perpetrated by a member of the commission board," Noah said.

Before a hushed audience, Noah made pointed allegations against Commissioner Gail Hambrick.

"I discovered that Commissioner Gail Hambrick may have unlawfully used county funds from the Clayton County Housing Authority for personal use," she said.

Barbee said Hambrick held a social event in July at the Premier Garden Apartments, a county public Housing Authority owned property.

She said Hambrick used housing authority funds to pay for a worker to provide security.

The worker was only paid $100, according to Barbee.

Noah and Barbee said the amount doesn't matter. They pointed out it is unlawful to use taxpayer funds for personal use.

"And I come before you to request a thorough inteal investigation be conducted by the board, Noah said.

District Attoey Tracy Graham-Lawson told Jones she couldn't confirm or deny an investigation but Barbee had a letter from Graham-Lawson explaining her office is reviewing the matter.

Barbee showed Jones records where the Housing Authority said Hambrick paid the money back in July but said there was no receipt or documentation.

Barbee said when she continued to ask questions, the Housing Authority eventually gave her a document that showed where Hambrick paid the money back in cash in August.

Jones tried to get Hambrick's side of the story by calling her and her assistant but got no response. No one was at Hambrick’s home, Jones said.

Clayton County Housing Authority Chairman James Searcy told Jones he wasn't aware Hambrick used the facility.

Searcy is looking into whether there's a policy goveing who can use the facility and who should be notified.

Searcy also said he’s disappointed to lea of the allegation of a payment arrangement for the security guard.

A fellow board member brought the issue up at a board meeting in August after noticing the Housing Authority paid for the security guard for a non-Housing Authority event.

"That started a buzz in the room. People wondering what that was all about," Searcy explained.

Clayton County Chairman Eldrin Bell told Jones he is very conceed about the complaint.

Bell asked Searcy "to look into it and find out what's going on so that we can clear this matter up."