WIRTHMAN
GBI closes Jefferson police probe
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing in its investigation into allegations of missing items from the Jefferson Police Department’s evidence room.
Jim Fullington, head of the GBI office in Athens, said Tuesday that the case has been closed.
“The discrepancies in the audit have been accounted for,” Fullington said. “There was no criminal wrongdoing. The district attorney agrees.”
Over one month ago, Jefferson Police Department officials called for the state probe into problems with the department’s evidence room. At the time, Police Chief Joe Wirthman said that “possible improprieties” had been found in the evidence room during an certification audit. Wirthman asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter.
Wirthman said the problem dated back three to four years ago.
“The discrepancies in the audit have been accounted for,” Fullington said. “There was no criminal wrongdoing. The district attorney agrees.”
Over one month ago, Jefferson Police Department officials called for the state probe into problems with the department’s evidence room. At the time, Police Chief Joe Wirthman said that “possible improprieties” had been found in the evidence room during an certification audit. Wirthman asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter.
Wirthman said the problem dated back three to four years ago.
officers could be hired to do the job as it was intended to be done.