Newton County’s finances were under scrutiny for much of the year with Fire Services Chief Kevin O’Brien indicted on four counts of theft by taking by a government employee in January and a forensic audit rounding out the end of the year.

O’Brien pled guilty to the charges Sept. 22 with part of his punishment including a $16,991 payback to the county. O’Brien’s misspending led to the BOC requesting further examination of county spending through a forensic audit of the county’s community centers, landfill, Bear Creek Reservoir project, convenience centers, recreation commission, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and Impact fees and public works.

May and November brought the results of the audit, from which The Covington News has published explanations in detail in the Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 editions. 

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