An investigation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in regards to alleged criminal misconduct on the part of City Commissioner Olivia Pearson may not have been nearly as thorough as city officials led the public to believe in a press release they issued earlier this week. Documents obtained by Douglas Now through an open records request also seem to show a some frustration by the district attorney’s office due to the GBI’s handling of the matter.
Pearson has come under public scrutiny lately after it was learned she involved herself personally during a felony traffic stop conducted by the Douglas Police Dept. on Dec. 5, 2015. Subsequent reports filed by officers at the scene stated Pearson potentially placed the lives of officers and other citizens in danger due to her actions. A full account of the incident can be viewed here.
Late Thursday afternoon, Jan. 7, the City of Douglas issued a press release defending the commissioner and stating no criminal charges would be filed against her.
“We [City of Douglas] have learned that it was not the intention of Commissioner Pearson to knowingly involve herself with the actions being carried out by the Douglas Police Department,” City Manager Terrell Jacobs said.
Douglas Police Chief Gary Casteloes added, “Staff did look into the occurrence and consulted with several legal advisors in regard to the incident. Based upon the totality of all the information and actions that occurred during the stop, the Douglas Police Department is not recommending or filing any charges in regards to this incident on Pearson. We are also addressing several training issues in regards to this incident as well, as the city plans to adopt some protocol that would be practical for elected officials.”
The City’s statement went on to say the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had investigated the matter and cleared Pearson of any wrongdoing.
“Due to recent public concern regarding the incident, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducted an independent investigation and determined that Commissioner Pearson did not violate any laws and there are no charges to be filed against her,” city officials said in the release.
After receiving and publishing the city’s statement, Douglas Now submitted an open records request to the district attorney’s office in regards to any communications they may have had with the GBI in relation to any possible investigation of Commissioner Pearson.
The documents we recieved reveal what appears to be a haphazard investigation by the state agency that was opened and closed within a matter of hours.
Assistant District Attorney Ian Sansot stated, “Our office was never consulted by the (Douglas) Police Department in this matter and, as such, we possess no communications between us. After the publication of this incident in local media outlets regarding this incident, our office decided that it was a matter that needed to be investigated to determine whether or not charges were warranted (our office cannot and does not investigate matters). The morning of January 4, I faxed the enclosed request for investigation to the GBI. That afternoon, I received their response letter (also attached). Additionally enclosed are the only communications our office has had with the GBI regarding this incident.”
Douglas Now has provided images of the communications Sansot references below.
