Garner files suit against Pendergrass

Tuesday, November 17. 2009

Former Pendergrass policeman William Garner has joined two other employees in filing a federal lawsuit against the town and its officials.

Former city clerk Katherine Rintoul and former policeman Scott Rodgers filed wrongful termination suits against the city two weeks ago. Garner’s suit was filed last week and accuses the city of having harassed him. He resigned in early October.

Garner, Rintoul and Rodgers were the three whistleblowers who have accused Pendergrass officials of financial wrong-doing. Rintoul and Rodgers were fired in July by Mayor Monk Tolbert, supposedly to save money for the city.

A GBI investigation is ongoing in the city over the whistleblowers accusations.

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#1 who cares on 11/16/09 at 02:43 PM [Reply]

Aw that poor thing. Garner no longer works for Pendergrass! Thats the best news I've heard all week. I bet he will get about as far complaining about harassment as any one got complaining about him.

#2 Now this is funny on 11/16/09 at 04:45 PM [Reply]

I personally think the the thousands of people Garner stopped and harrassed every day he worked should file a counter suit on him!

#2.1 Thomas Ryan on 11/17/09 at 01:11 PM [Reply]

Why does some driver that breaks the Law always want to blame it on someone else? What's Funny is some agressive driver thinking its OK to own the road and destroy someones elses life! Officer Garner did a proffresional job! If their were more Officers like Garner, there would be less Fatallities on the road! I guess you never lost a Loved one to a Drunk, or agressive driver?

#3 Your Future Jury on 11/17/09 at 02:40 PM [Reply]

Soooo,
Now ol' Bill wants to complain about harassment??? How does it feel ol' Bill??? Guess what, WE don't care! Just like what you say to all of us when we have something to say! I hope this case comes to Jackson County court--we messed up last time in grand jury, but we definately won't this next time!

#3.1 Thomas Ryan on 11/17/09 at 05:17 PM [Reply]

Harassment? Read again, Officer Garner had the courage to stand up to the wrongs in Pendergrass, and do the right thing! Not only Officer Garner but two others as well! I don't know Officer Garner, but I am sure it feels good to step forward and do the RIGHT thing! REMEMBER IT WILL ALL COME OUT IN THE WASH! I hope you are as you sound, one of the "FAMILY"!

#3.1.1 who cares on 11/17/09 at 08:34 PM [Reply]

Life is not black and white you cannot make a case about someone based on media coverage. Garner got on this band wagon hopeing to get the chief job. They did not give it to him they hired a guy. He knew when the charges against the counsel and mayor were dropped they would send him packing for false acusations. So to maintain this sudden good guy impression he resigned. I can assure you he did not work all those years because they treated him badly he enjoyed being "Mr Police". If you do not know him how can you defened his integrity. In my opinion from what I have seen personaly the best thing would be that this clown never wear a badge again.

#3.1.1.1 OMG Really?!! on 11/18/09 at 10:44 AM [Reply]

So tell me this "who cares?" Obviously you do because you cared enough to post some more ignorance on the thread LOL!!

Here is an example of your ignorance..."He knew when the charges against the counsel and mayor were dropped they would send him packing for false accusations."

OMG Really?!!

So...since they are so innocent then why didnt they charge Garner from the start. As far as I know...no one other than Tolby Boy claimed that the city had been cleared when the investigation hadnt even begun yet!! (per mainstreet news)

OMG Really?!!

Thanks for bringing us a new "family member" post. Now go back to drinking your beer!

#3.1.1.1.1 who cares on 11/19/09 at 03:16 AM [Reply]

It is amazing how people get on these threads insulting others who disagree with them. You said you did not know him so in other words you dont have a clue what youre talking about. Every one knows the mayor and counsel members are up to know good its been obvious for years. To you its ok for these officers to complain about how the people they were so loyal to for so long were suddenly mean to them but heaven forbid anyone think the officers were just as much of the problem oh no that is just impossible. Garner said in another artical he was told to harass people yea right I didnt see anyone holding a gun to his head. Go ahead spout out more ignorance whatever makes you feel good inside

#3.1.1.1.1.1 OMG Really?!! on 11/19/09 at 10:53 AM [Reply]

Well what can I say? When its so painfully obvious that someone has no clue what they are talking about, it just seems appropriate to consider them as an "ignorant" person. Perhaps I am wrong, but probably not. Its still clear that you cannot cite any examples through which you reached such conclusions, such as:

You commented.... "You(OMG Really?!!) said you did not know him so in other words you dont have a clue what youre talking about."
-I never said if I knew him or not

You commented...."Every one knows the mayor and counsel members are up to know good its been obvious for years."
-So why haven't YOU done anything about? (and by the way its "council" and "no good")

You commented...."...but heaven forbid anyone think the officers were just as much of the problem oh no that is just impossible."
-If you have information to share on this I would love to know about it, as would the rest of us Im certain.

You commented...."Garner said in another artical he was told to harass people..."
-Once again, can you cite where this propagandist trash is coming from?

So you assume that I do not know him. Maybe I do, Maybe I don't. One thing is certain...I would not get on here and adamantly defend someone if they were completely wrong. Im sure there are several people that can say bad things about Garner on the subject of his performance of his duties, but that does not mean that anything he did was illegal or unethical. It just means one or two things,

1. He gave you a ticket (which I don't doubt)
2. You are a "family member"

To end, let me get this straight. You acknowledge the corruption that these people brought to light, then turn around and criticize them for it? OMG Really?!!

#3.1.1.1.1.2 OMG Really?!! on 11/19/09 at 10:59 AM [Reply]

Oh and by the way...nothing else better to do at 4am than post some rage? You must really have a grudge!

#3.1.1.2 Maybe there will be Justice on 11/19/09 at 12:23 PM [Reply]

Life may not be black and white but, the law certainly is. I can only assume you are part of the "family" there in Pendergrass or you wouldn't be able to defend these corrupt hillbillies!! The Mayor and the Chief admitted on tape to investigative reporter Randy Travis some of the many complaints brought about them. The Mayor professed to the entire audience at the August City Council meeting that the GBI had completed their investigation and found that they were not guilty of one single thing when in fact the investigation hadn't even begun yet and to this day is still ongoing. I don't and can't understand how anyone can condone the actions of the mayor, chief of police and the city council when the evidence is so clear. And don't even try to say they're not guilty because the recall effort was tossed out of court - the only reason the judge had to make that ruling was due to the fact that citizens wrote the complaint and didn't have the legal training to do it correctly - the judge had no choice other than the decision he made. They must know their days are numberered - no one in their right mind will ever re-elect anty of these folks. Well the fat lady hasn't sang yet so you better stay tuned because this ain't over yet! Everyone continues to bad mouth the whistleblowers but my guess is they have more integrity in their little finger than you have in your whole hand!

#3.2 OMG Really?!! on 11/17/09 at 05:35 PM [Reply]

So...Future Jury,

So let me get this right since you apparently know so much about garner...

We? Messed up last time? Is that why a jury of YOUR peers no billed the case? REALLY?!! OMG!

Next time you feel compelled to write something as ignorant as that again do us all a favor and dont then go back to drinking your Budwiser.

P.S. since you were apparently on the GJ last time maybe Bill would want to thank you!

#3.2.1 Jim on 11/23/09 at 01:20 PM [Reply]

I don't know what to think about that!

#4 Bob on 11/17/09 at 08:47 PM [Reply]

Way to go Officer Garner and also to the other 2 X-Pendergrass employees. To have the guts to stand up to a bunch of Boss Hogg good old boys in Pendergrass took alot of courage. The officials of Pendergrass are a DISGRACE to their positions. They all looked like morons when interviewed by Fox Channel 5 Atlanta. Bubba Hogg the designer clothing reminded me of an old saying: you can put lip stick on a pig but it is still a pig.

I would love to be in the jury if these hicks are ever arrested because the facts speak for themselves.

Mr. Garner you and your colleagues continue to stand up for what is right. Applaud!!!!!!

And as far as you doing your job as a Peace Officer sounded like some of the messages on this board are from family of the hick politicians in Pendergrass. Well guess that is what inbreeding will do.

Hope you all win and hope the GBI will make an example of these hill billys. The case needs to be tried in Atlanta.

Pendergrass citizens I know you all are vicitims of these yodels. Vote them out or better yet wave bye bye when they end up hopefully in jail.

#5 Chinoe on 11/18/09 at 10:19 AM [Reply]

All Garner wants is his name in the paper. As someone who was personally harrassed by him, I can honestly say that his resigning is the best news I've heard in a while.

#5.1 J Keith on 11/19/09 at 04:12 PM [Reply]

I have have lived in Pendergrass for 3 years now, I rent fom Ms. Gee and I have been pulled over by Officer Garner. I was doing something wrong and he caught me. But when I needed help it was Officer Garner that came to my house. Those that say they have been "harrassed", well what did you do wrong? They are doing there job when they pull you over for whatever it is you did wrong. If you don't live in this town then stop with the rude and degrading comments. I live here, and no I'm not a "hillbilly" or "redneck". I am a good Person who believes in Innocent until proven guilty.

#6 okay on 11/18/09 at 04:09 PM [Reply]

It seems that the Hertz Renta Cops of Pendergrass really don't have a lot to complain about. They were part of this corrupt system.

#7 The Truth and Nothing But on 11/18/09 at 08:46 PM [Reply]

Bill Garner will hopefully get what is coming to him, and no I don't mean a monetary settlement! He is a clown with a badge!! Glad to see him gone!!!

#8 jennifer g on 11/19/09 at 01:05 AM [Reply]

OMG?!! Like can you type anything else or are you really that "ignorant"? You must reside next to Winder.

#9 Etienne on 11/19/09 at 12:28 PM [Reply]

wow come to think of it maybe there are wayyy too many police in this world, Police RARELY IF EVER PREVENT CRIME AND IN SOME CASES CAUSE PEOPLE TO BECOME ACTING CRIMINAL. THE REVENUE PENDERGRASS GETS FROM SPEED ENFORCEMENT SHOWS BEING A POLICE OFFICERS IS REALLY MORE LIKE BEING A TAX COLLECTOR, IF PUBLIC SAFETY WAS REALLY THE ROLE OF POLICE IN GEORGIA THAN HAVING PEOPLE FIX THE ITEMS AND NOT FINING THE HECK OUT OF THEM, MAKING THEM TAKE TIME TO GO TO COURT RATHER THAN PRESENTING THE ASUTO AT ANY YES ANY POLICE STATION IN GEORGIA WITHIN 24 HOURS AND THE TICKETS GETTING THROWN IN A SAFETY COMPLIANCE BIN RATHER THAN A BANK BOOK BIN WOULD SHOW POLICE ARENT JUST HERE TO RAM MONEY FROM YOUR POCKET TO THE CITY COFFERS

#9.1 Maybe there will be Justice on 11/19/09 at 01:19 PM [Reply]

Etienne I hope you never have to rely on a police officer to save your life after you rant and disrespect them the way you did. Fortunately for you - if you ever need help from a law enforcement officer they will help and treat you like any other citizen they have taken the oath to protect. After having lost more than 1 family member to drivers who were either driving too fast or driving DUI I pray that you will never have to feel that pain. Why does everyone complain so much about receiving speeding tickets??? Isn't the speed limit posted clearly for every driver to see??? If you exceed it explain to me why you shouldn't be ticketed for it!!!!!! When you speed you are assuming the risk of being caught, ticketed and fined. Some people would never learn their lesson if they didn't feel the monetary punishment and then some will never learn and keep doing it therefore endangering my life, my families lives and even yours!

#10 make up your mind on 11/19/09 at 06:16 PM [Reply]

I can't figure out why people are so quick to jump on the Officers of Pendergrass for writing tickets yet they don't have a thing to say about the tickets that were fixed. If I had received a ticket and someone in the know got one and had it fixed, I would raise hell. Why should I pay and not you? Yet it is more noteworthy to bash the officers who wrote the tickets? What kind of backwards peanut brain thinks like that?
Etienne is screaming about how the idea of public safety is a joke. Why aren't you just as upset about the tickets that were fixed?
And here's the scary part, they got away with it and the message was sent that it's OK to fix tickets as long as it's not for profit. That goes against everything they taught us at the Academy. Yet the leaders continue to brake the rules and the soldiers continue to take the fall for pointing it out.

#11 Jennifer G on 11/19/09 at 06:37 PM [Reply]

OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! OMG Really?!! Jennifer honey, you really must have something different to say than to talk like the 16 year old you really are...oh, I'm sorry about that, I know ol' billy likes them at 16 years old, especially if they're a runaway...any thoughts on this matter???

#11.1 Thomas Ryan on 11/21/09 at 09:59 AM [Reply]

Mark:(i.e.JenniferG) Why do you continue to attack the 3 whistle blowers? What are you so angry and bitter about? If you and the Familiy have done NOTHING WRONG why cry?
Attacking the messengers is not going to change the message!

The fact is there are very serious issues going on in the City of Pendergrass. Criticizing the messangers and their courage to come forward is very disapointing!

I hope the truth will soon come out, then everyone will know who the victims and the crimanals really are!!!

#12 Mike Portson on 11/20/09 at 03:16 AM [Reply]

There is always a thing of being honest with other people and responsible for recent acts. I think that big companies should have bigger responsibility for formers employees and for people who are currently working for them. And police is just a king of big company.

#13 OMG Really?!! on 11/20/09 at 12:26 PM [Reply]

LOL!! Someone get up on the wrong side of the bed, or was it the fact that my words hit the mark with you?

You really should try to comeback with something factual and on the point rather than make obscene remarks about he and now...sadly, his wife.

What we have here my fellow citizens is the kind of response that comes out of the city...(scratch that)..."family members" when they have no leg to stand on.

Just to think...Garners wife is 16? OMG Really?!!

#14 about time on 11/20/09 at 01:47 PM [Reply]

see ya Garner you will not be missed. Six traffic stops 4 tickets all found not to be violations of the law by State court. People stop calling them a speed trap your giving to much credit a speeding ticket was almost unheard of in Pendergrass. Lock up the town leaders and do away with the PPD. It is nice to see he still has "family members" to take up for him.

#15 concerned citizen on 11/21/09 at 05:18 AM [Reply]

I don't know anythingabout the people who braught these charges against the council nor some of the council members,but I do know one of the members of council the Mayor "Monk Tolbert" on a personal bases and I'm sorry to say he's a realitive to me not by choice. He used to be just like everyone else on here. He came from a "poor" family and used to be a kind hearted person whom would do right by everyone.But seems as if he's like others I know that have been elected into a higher position or govt. official his money and fame has changed him to the crooked way of life. He has forgotten many of his family that are not in the immediate family since he got into govt. or "got rich" and most of all he's forgotten his upbringing and how it feels to be "poor" .

#16 concerned citizen on 11/21/09 at 05:23 AM [Reply]

Also lets remember this when the time to re-elect these officials comes around. Study the people up for election and elect someone who could make a difference for our city not bring it down and waste our hard earned tax dollars in the court systems because they don't wan't to follow the rules. And Elect someone who's gonna care about the needs of the town citizens not their personal gain.

#17 Bob on 11/21/09 at 08:05 AM [Reply]

Police: hate them when we are wrong but love them when we need them!!!!!!

Saw a nasty wreck on 129 (probably deaths too) and our underpaid public servants were there pitch black hwy 129 (enuff said) pulling victims out of what was once a car. While the rest of us were either home or going home to enjoy a meal, and sit back and relax. How do you think law enforcement feels after seeing all of the blood and guts?

#18 Jim on 11/21/09 at 02:59 PM [Reply]

Whistle blowers shouldn't get fired.

#19 concerned citizen on 11/23/09 at 04:44 PM [Reply]

I agree with you Bob our police do more than just write tickets for those not obeying the law they risk their lives for us and our families to protect us and they serve us when we need them to.I have the most respect for our law enforcement officers everywhere and they have my appreciation for everything they do to keep us safe.

#20 Danielle on 12/02/09 at 11:40 AM [Reply]

Garner should have been fired! He was a horrible cop who would pray on young women and then let them go if they flirted with him enough!!! I know this first hand! I was pulled over by him under rediculous reasoning and let go, because I told him that I needed to call my father( a GA state patrol) before signing any tickets on the alleged charges, he quickly recanted his reasoning and let me go. This was not the only time I have also whitnessed when in the car with a friend who was pulled over by him!!!

#21 Emmett Delaney on 01/01/10 at 12:05 PM [Reply]

Personally I have no idea of who is who in the issue regarding all this stuff in Pendergrass. I read the news like most everyone and draw conclusions. Since I don't live in Pendergrass I don't personally have a horse in the race. I have however been able to draw somewhat of an opinion (which if added to fifty cents could buy me a paper).
I notice one thing that no one has mentioned is the "NEW" Chief. His name is Robert LaRocque. Frankly the citizens of Pendergrass could not have gotten luckier than to have this man serve their citizens. I assume he was hired by the council some of you are complaining about so it would appear that there is an effort to obtain the best that can be had for the community. In all the doo flinging that appears to be going on, it is interesting that nothing from either side, or the press, can seemingly be said negative about this man. Seems like progress to me.

#21.1 Maybe there will be Justice on 01/04/10 at 07:35 AM [Reply]

Are you kidding me!! I guess you haven't read all that much of the news. . . Robert LaRocque resigned as an officer with the Jefferson Police Department because he was under investigation for interferance with an ongoing investigation. From what I have read he tried to tamper with evidence - and you think that he is the best thing that could happen to the community! I suggest you take your fifty cents, buy a newspaper, read it and get all the facts before you toot your horn about how great LaRocque is for Pendergrass. Just seems like more of the same old crap to me!

#21.1.1 Emmett Delaney on 01/08/10 at 12:26 PM [Reply]

I think if YOU would go back and read YOUR newspapers you might realize that assertion is completely incorrect.

Robert LaRocque allowed himself to be placed in a compromising situation trying to help the former Chief, Darren Glenn, avoid being wrongly accused of crimes. This basically led to his being asked to resign by the new Chief of Jefferson, whom at the time had no choice but to do what he did in my opinion.

NONE of the charges against Chief Glenn held up once he was allowed to testify on his own behalf thereby ending the witch hunt that was taking place in our justice system here in Jackson County. You might also want to remember that the DA who was at the center of all of that is now in prison for crimes against the citizens he was elected to represent.

I would think the citizens of Pendergrass, or any other municipality would be proud to have an officer / chief, whom would stand up for what was right, displaying an obvious inclination to place "serve and protect" above personal aspirations.

Personally, I think Robert LaRocque would be an excellent candidate for Sheriff of our county one of these days (when Mr. Evans decides to retire). I feel the same about Darren Glenn.

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