No crime uncovered in GBI, PTC probes of city development authority

Chief says 'cloud of supposition' formed by lack of plans;

conflicts of interest not disclosed

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The Georgia Bureau

of Investigation was unable to find any evidence of criminal activity

after reviewing numerous documents pertaining to the activities of the

Development Authority of Peachtree City.

The two GBI agents

who worked the case also pointed out four areas of the authority's

Sept. 30, 2002 audit which should be reviewed, said Police Chief James

Murray, who asked for the review by the GBI's financial investigations

unit. Murray said City Finance Director Paul Salvatore told him several

of those issues have already been addressed with the auditing firm.

Murray emphasized

that if any indicators of criminal conduct are found at a later date,

the investigation could be re-opened. As for now, however the case is

closed.

Although no evidence

of criminal intent was found by Murray or the GBI, the chief noted in

a press release Wednesday that the review of the documents brought "numerous

suggestions that bad decision-making, failure to disclose conflicts of

interests and failure to follow proper procedure were prevalent when the

Development Authority and its members were conducting Authority business.

"In many cases,

the failure to have a detailed operation plan specifically designed to

hold accountable both employees and members of the Authority for the proper

accountability when spending or obligating taxpayer dollars has led to

a cloud of supposition."

The investigation

was only to review possible criminal violations, not ethics or operations

violations, Murray noted.

"People have

to understand that for a criminal investigation you have to have probable

cause, not mere suspicion and innuendo," Murray said.

Murray said he was

confident of the investigation's results, saying the two GBI agents

working the case - Steve Edwards, the special agent in charge of

the financial investigations unit, and Nancy L. Windom, the forensic investigation

unit manager -�are experts in the field who have experience with

hotel-motel tax issues and investigating authorities. Murray quickly added

that he is not an expert in accounting.

"These people

are well-qualified," Murray said, adding that he felt glad the agents

concurred with his opinion on certain issues.

Murray began reviewing

documents pertaining to the DAPC in mid-October at the request of Peachtree

City Mayor Steve Brown. In addition to reviewing the documents, Murray

conducted interviews with persons relating to the bidding, building and

management function of the city's tennis center and amphitheater

which the authority operated.

Calling the GBI for

assistance was a serious matter, Murray said, but he felt he might be

accused of being too close to the city to offer a valid opinion.

"I felt I needed

a second opinion," Murray said.

Murray and the GBI

agents also consulted with the Georgia Attorney General's Office

at times during the investigation, the chief added.

The investigation

will help city officials create restrictions so these types of problems

don't come up again, Murray said.