The GBI has arrested Pearson City Clerk Patricia Ballard, age 67, of Pearson, Atkinson County, Georgia, with the following felony charges:
· Conspiracy to Commit a Crime
· Conspiracy to Defraud State or Political Subdivision
· Theft by Taking
· Offenses Involving Public Records, Documents, and Other Items
· Violation of Oath by a Public Officer
· False Statements and Writings
Ballard was taken into custody without incident at Pearson City Hall. She was booked into the Atkinson County Jail. She was later transferred to the Coffee County Jail.
This arrest is a continuation of the investigation that previously led to the arrest of Pearson Mayor Robert “Buster” Johnson, following a request from the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office to investigate fraudulent activity within the Pearson city government.
This investigation is active and ongoing. More arrests are expected.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Alapaha Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.