Two Spalding County employees were fired Thursday after county officials say an internal review and a criminal probe turned up evidence that a co-worker had been stalked and sexually harassed. The case began when the employee discovered an electronic tracking device attached to her personal vehicle and reported what she described as ongoing harassment by a supervisor and another co-worker. Authorities say the terminations followed interviews and other evidence gathered during the parallel investigations.
According to a news release from Spalding County, county leaders opened a separate internal review while the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office launched a criminal investigation after the complaint. The release lists stalking, sexual harassment, and workplace misconduct among the accusations and notes that the matter has been referred to the interim State Court Solicitor's Office because one of the accused is linked by relationship to an employee of that office.
Investigators Say Allegations Were Substantiated
Sheriff Darrell Dix said investigators "substantiated the sexual harassment allegations" and that the county moved immediately to terminate the two employees, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Dix told reporters he assigned two independent teams, one to the criminal matter and another to the internal review, in an effort to keep the inquiries separate and impartial as they continue.
Conflict of Interest Flagged During Probe
The sheriff also revealed that an investigator with the State Court Solicitor's Office, who is married to one of the accused employees, contacted the alleged victim despite not being assigned to the case. "Any questions should have been directed to her husband, not the victim," Dix said to FOX 5 Atlanta. He said he has referred that contact to the interim solicitor's office for review. Dix emphasized that both the criminal and internal investigations remain active and that additional disciplinary action could follow if others are found to have enabled or concealed conduct.
County Urges Employees to Come Forward
County Manager Dr. Steve Ledbetter said the county acted swiftly and "maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and abuse of authority," according to the county news release. Officials are encouraging anyone with information related to workplace harassment or misconduct to report concerns to a supervisor, Human Resources, or the County Manager's Office. Contact information for county departments is available on the county website.
Legal Path Ahead
With the criminal investigation ongoing and a solicitor's office review under way, prosecutors will decide whether to file charges once investigators finish collecting evidence. County leaders said they cannot discuss potential charges while the probes are active and asked anyone with relevant information to come forward so investigators can fully evaluate the allegations.
