Governor says he can’t suspend Clayton County sheriff accused of 32 felony charges for racketeering and theft.

Atlanta- The governor says he cannot suspend Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill while he fights 32 felony charges of racketeering and theft. This means Hill will remain sheriff unless he is convicted.

Gov. Nathan Deal’s office said in a news release Thursday that “after careful evaluation of the facts in the case and the applicable state law,” the governor concluded he cannot appoint a committee to make a recommendation on suspending Hill, because Hill was not in office when the indictment was returned a year ago. The committee would consist of the attorney general and two sheriffs.

“The law outlining the procedures for the suspension of public officials under indictment applies only to officials indicted while holding their elected office,” the statement said.

The key words in state law, the governor’s office said, define a public official as “ ‘any elected county officer.’ Victor Hill was indicted on Feb. 29, 2012, at which time he was a private citizen and not an elected county officer. Therefore, state law prohibits the appointment of a suspension panel at this time.”

The head of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association disagreed. The association had urged Deal to name a suspension panel in November.

“We feel that we, as the Sheriffs’ Association, have done what we are supposed to do in an attempt to ensure the integrity of the office,” said Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, president of the association. “I believe the governor’s attorney’s interpretation of the statute is incorrect. But I’m not the one the law says shall appoint the committee, so therefore my opinion on the matter is of little consequence to the executive part of state government. I just don’t understand it.”
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/governor-says-he-cant-suspend-clayton-county-sheri/nTmWj/