The Newton County Recreation Commission’s board of directors did not make any personnel changes stemming from a recent forensic audit released by Frazier and Deeter CPAs and Advisors and commissioned by the Newton County Board of Commissioners.

The recreation commission board met in a special called meeting Monday night, going straight into an executive session to review the accounting report compiled by David Sawyer.

After coming out of executive session, the NCRC board did not vote but released a statement to The Covington News signed by all the board members in attendance: Danny Stone, chair, Ronnie Brannen, vice chair, Scheree Howard, secretary, Flemmie Pitts, Julius Hays, Tim Fleming, Josh McKelvey, Andre Cooper and Johnny Presley, emeritus.

“After a thorough investigation of the forensic audit, the Recreation Commission has found no illegal or dishonest behavior and no financial damage was done to the taxpayers of Newton County," the statement said. “As the Recreation Commission, we welcome any further inquiries on the matter.”

The BOC first saw the report Nov. 10, and it was released to the public on Nov. 28, per Georgia statute. The report has since been sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Newton County District Attorney.

At this point, only a portion of the report was released, with the section involving the NCRC redacted due to a Georgia law that “allows an agency to withhold a document for up to 10 days after a completed investigation related to the suspension of, termination of, or complaint against a public officer or employee,” according to Newton County Attorney Megan Martin.
The Recreation Commission portion of the report will become available to the public on Thursday.

To see our overview of the forensic audit click here.

To see our story on the report concerning SPLOST/Impact Fees click here.

To see our story on the report concerning Bear Creek Reservoir click here.

To see our story on the report concerning the Nelson Heights Community Center click here.

To see our story on the report concerning the Newton County landfill click here.