Georgia sheriff under investigation by GBI

BURKE COUNTY, Ga. — A Georgia sheriff is now under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

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According to ABC affiliate WJBF, the GBI has begun a “limited preliminary investigation” into Burkey County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams.

Williams told WJBF that it’s a non-criminal investigation and the GBI is delving into his travel and reimbursement funds.

The investigation is in regard to Williams’ position as sheriff and as an instructor at a private company, Leaders Helping Leaders Network, WJBF reports.

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When WJBF asked about the investigation, Williams’s office said in a statement:

The GBI was asked by the District Attorney [Jared Williams] to conduct a non-criminal preliminary inquiry to look at travel and reimbursement expenses related to my work, both as sheriff of Burke County and as an instructor with a private company, LHLN. My role as sheriff is very unique. I believe a thorough sifting of the duties and role of sheriff, combined with servant leadership influence and taking ownership of our profession, I am confident the GBI will find I acted within the scope of the office of sheriff and within the confines of my constitutional authority. I respect the DA’s decision to have this non-criminal preliminary inquiry reviewed and I value the role of the GBI and the integrity they bring. Again, I remain confident that a thorough sifting of the facts of the inquiry will prove there is no criminal wrongdoing. My office has fully cooperated with the investigation.

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According to the sheriff’s office website, Williams began working as Waynesboro Chief in 2012. Since then Williams has reorganized and restructured the WPD by creating a plan to bring about community policing and restoring community trust.

Waynesboro is about 155 miles outside of Atlanta.

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