The county employee allegedly targeted by a threatening phone call Oct. 23 was Human Resources Director Norma Jean Brown, who in recent days has brought to light concerns about possible racial and gender discrimination in the county government.
“Norma Jean called me Monday,” said Sheriff Jud Smith. “She said she had received a phone call that she thought was threatening in nature on her voice mail."
Smith said he did not personally listen to the message, but a deputy dispatched to Brown's office said the audio message was not of a person’s voice but was a message created from the sound track of a television commercial or other type of broadcast.
HR director is target of alleged phone threat
The call was left on Brown's office voice mail at the Barrow County annex building at about 12:46 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Unaware of the message, Brown began meeting privately with individual commissioners on Saturday, Oct. 24.
She didn't hear the phone message – that allegedly threatened her safety and that of her family – until Monday, Oct. 26.
According to Jim Fullington, special agent in charge of the GBI’s Athens office, the sheriff's office officially requested GBI assistance the following day.
“Our office has been requested by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office to look into an investigation of a possible terroristic threat against a Barrow County employee,” Fullington said.
The sheriff said he asked for GBI assistance because of the politics involved in the situation.
“I didn’t want to give a reason for someone to say I was upset about the budget and had a chance to go after somebody,” Smith said. “I felt like the independent source of the GBI would be better investigating this alleged threat.”
On the same day that the sheriff contacted the GBI about the threatening phone call, the Barrow County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to hire a private investigator to look into Brown's allegations of discrimination. Brown also disclosed that night to a reporter that she had retained an Atlanta lawyer who specializes in employment law.
Brown’s attorney, Cheryl Legare of Buckley & Klein LLP, said the allegations involve gender and race discrimination as well as wage-hour violations. A formal complaint is expected to be filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by next week.
County Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood said he agreed with Smith’s decision to request assistance from the GBI but added that he did not really know anything about the terroristic threats situation.
“I understand there was a threatening phone call made, and I have not heard the details at all,” he said. “But I asked the commissioners to not let it go.”
Yearwood said, if necessary, he would support bringing in both the GBI and FBI.
“I want to know who generated it and where it came from,” he said.
“If allegations are being made and it was done on a federal level as far as a phone call, I think we should get to the bottom of it. We need to know where it came from and, if possible, who did it. I hope we can find that out.”
She didn't hear the phone message – that allegedly threatened her safety and that of her family – until Monday, Oct. 26.
According to Jim Fullington, special agent in charge of the GBI’s Athens office, the sheriff's office officially requested GBI assistance the following day.
“Our office has been requested by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office to look into an investigation of a possible terroristic threat against a Barrow County employee,” Fullington said.
The sheriff said he asked for GBI assistance because of the politics involved in the situation.
“I didn’t want to give a reason for someone to say I was upset about the budget and had a chance to go after somebody,” Smith said. “I felt like the independent source of the GBI would be better investigating this alleged threat.”
On the same day that the sheriff contacted the GBI about the threatening phone call, the Barrow County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to hire a private investigator to look into Brown's allegations of discrimination. Brown also disclosed that night to a reporter that she had retained an Atlanta lawyer who specializes in employment law.
Brown’s attorney, Cheryl Legare of Buckley & Klein LLP, said the allegations involve gender and race discrimination as well as wage-hour violations. A formal complaint is expected to be filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by next week.
County Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood said he agreed with Smith’s decision to request assistance from the GBI but added that he did not really know anything about the terroristic threats situation.
“I understand there was a threatening phone call made, and I have not heard the details at all,” he said. “But I asked the commissioners to not let it go.”
Yearwood said, if necessary, he would support bringing in both the GBI and FBI.
“I want to know who generated it and where it came from,” he said.
“If allegations are being made and it was done on a federal level as far as a phone call, I think we should get to the bottom of it. We need to know where it came from and, if possible, who did it. I hope we can find that out.”
At any rate, Georgia law defines Terroristic Threats and Acts in OCGA 16-11-37. Basically, a person commits the offense of a terroristic threat whenhe or she threatens to commit any crime of violence. Yes, this is the United States of America. No you can't threaten another person, either by verbal threats or by actions.
OMG - this county is so dysfunctional