Augusta mayor seeks update, “closure” on criminal probes of commissioner Sias

Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis is calling for an update on the criminal investigations of Commissioner Sammie Sias, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation may have one next week.

The Augusta Commission in July asked the GBI and Division of Family and Children Services to investigate Sias after his ex-lover, Willa Hilton, sent them a letter filled with allegations of wrongdoing at the city-owned Jamestown Community Center, which she said Sias ran “as if he owns it.”

Hilton said Sias forged invoices for sales tax spending on repairs, wrote checks from the funds for cash, bullied children to the point of abuse, sexually harassed women, consumed alcohol, carried a gun and watched pornography at the center.

Sias dismissed the claims as those of a jilted woman, but the city subsequently confirmed on Aug. 6 a federal grand jury had already been empaneled in Savannah and issued subpoenas in the case. On Aug. 8, FBI and GBI agents raided Sias’ house, removing computers and numerous boxes of items.

Asked Thursday if he had been cleared of wrongdoing, Sias did not respond.

According to an email obtained by The Augusta Chronicle, Davis asked for an “update on the Sias investigation,” naming specifically the probes underway by the FBI, GBI and DFCS.

“It’s time to bring closure to this and update the commission and public,” Davis wrote.

Pat Morgan, special agent-in-charge of the area GBI office, said the agency’s investigation remains “active” and without any time frame. But after an upcoming review of the case file, Morgan said the GBI may have an update “at the end of next week.”

Davis did not send the email to all on the 10-member commission, but Commissioner Marion Williams said he was one of at least six who received it.

Williams said the public seeks closure and he’s been asked about the child abuse allegations.

“A lot of people asked me about the children aspect, if that’s true. You can’t just leave that hanging out there,” he said.

Sias obtained city sales tax dollars through a contract his organization, Sandridge Community Association, had with the city to operate the center and make improvements. After the investigations came to light, city officials admitted their oversight of the contract had been extremely lax.

Former commissioner Moses Todd, who has been critical of Sias, said the mayor’s move sidesteps what the commission could have done already -- censure Sias, for diverting city funds to his lover.

“He admitted violating the ethics rules,” Todd said. “He had the authority to hire and fire her and he’s getting money from the city government to pay that employee. They could censure him on that.”

The censure would require no further investigation by the city, which Todd said should “stay out of the way” of the other criminal investigations.

Barry Paschal, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine, said in accordance with U.S. Department of Justice policy, the office “does not comment on investigations, including whether those investigations are taking place.”

A spokesman for the Division of Family and Children Services has said it does not release information about child abuse cases unless the child has died, but tends to focus on abuse by custodial parents and refers other child abuse cases to law enforcement agencies.

Davis asked to discuss the update in the closed-door legal session the commission has twice a month. Next week’s meeting is Wednesday rather than Tuesday due to an Augusta Regional Airport event.

Commission meetings can legally be closed to the public for discussion of personnel, real estate and litigation. City lawyers have previously said the part-time commissioners are considered “personnel” and exempt from public discussion, while federal law prohibits the release of records, subpoenas and orders involving grand jury proceedings.