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GA county Commissioner indicted by grand jury for child molestation

Lincoln County Commissioner indicted for child molestation

LINCOLNTON, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said a 78-year-old commissioner from Lincoln County is out on bond after being arrested for child molestation.

Hartwell Cooper Cliatt, of Lincolnton, was under investigation beginning in May 2024, when the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office asked GBI to investigate him for allegations of child molestation.

The GBI confirmed that Cliatt is currently a member of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, serving District 3.

On Monday, Cliatt was indicted by a Lincoln County Grand Jury and charged with two counts of child molestation.

He turned himself into the authorities on Tuesday and was booked by the sheriff’s office before being released on a $50,000 bond.

The GBI asks that anyone with information contact their regional investigative office in Thomson at 706-595-2575 or by calling anonymous tips in at 1-800-597-8477.

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