Barrow County Emergency Chief Arrested

Towne

Barrow County Emergency Chief Arrested

Posted by

in Top Stories & Breaking News

Friday, July 9. 2010

Comments (29)

Barrow County’s new emergency services chief was arrested Friday by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in connection with financial irregularities at the city where he was fire chief before coming to Barrow County.

Chief Donald Towne turned himself in at 9 a.m. at the Grady County Sheriff’s Office and was charged with one felony count of theft by taking.

Also arrested were his wife, Tiffany Fowler, and his father-in-law, James Whigham.

Fowler, 29, worked for the City of Cairo’s utility department when a change in the billing system led to the discovery of financial irregularities.

A subsequent forensic audit found that about $150,000 was missing, according to the Cairo Messenger newspaper.

On Thursday and Friday, the GBI arrested a total of five people in connection with the case.

All of the charges stem only from the alleged theft of municipal cable services, said Steve Turner, special assistant agent in charge of the GBI's office in Thomasville.

However, the GBI's investigation, which began in December 2009, is continuing, Turner said.

Towne allegedly took one year of cable services valued at $800.

Fowler was charged with five counts of theft by taking and five counts of computer theft. Whigham was charged with two counts of theft by taking.

BARROW COUNTY’S RESPONSE

Barrow County Human Resources Director Norma Jean Brown told the Barrow Journal that Barrow County Commission Chairman Danny Yearwood became aware of the chief's arrest shortly after it occurred Friday morning.

Towne on Thursday asked for some time off in order to handle an undisclosed “family emergency,” but he did not tell the chairman of his impending arrest, she said.

Brown said the county would confirm the facts and then follow the personnel policy in determining what steps to take concerning Towne's employment.

Battalion chief John Skinner, who was the interim chief prior to Towne coming on board, has again assumed the interim chief's duties, she said.

Before hiring Towne, the county conducted a criminal background check and also checked his references, and no one disclosed that the chief or his wife were targets of the GBI investigation, Brown said.

Defined tags for this entry: Barrow County, fire and EMS, Top Stories

Related entries by tags:

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

#1 No Wonder King Temperwood ..... on 07/09/10 at 01:20 PM [Reply]

liked him. Two of a kind.

#1.1 Chris on 07/09/10 at 01:50 PM [Reply]

Seriously? He was arrested and could lose his livelyhood over $800.00? Does the GBI have nothing better to do?

Let's go after drug dealers, murderers and violent offenders.

#1.1.1 rac76 on 07/09/10 at 02:31 PM [Reply]

Then he should have thought about it before he did the crime. Stealing is just as bad as the other crimes that you have mention. It does not matter how much was taken, it's still a crime.

#1.1.1.1 Outspoken1 on 07/09/10 at 04:04 PM [Reply]

Couldn't agree with you more! He did the crime, therefore he has to pay the time. How aweful does it look to have a Fire Chief, who is supposed to be a leader in this county (which i might add he is not even from). Get caught for stealing. Im glad justice is coming to him. What happend to the Good ole Boys? I have no idea where they went. But i would absolutley love for them to make a come back!
Put someone in that postion who knows Barrow County, and is from Barrow County.

#1.1.1.1.1 Landon on 07/13/10 at 01:08 AM [Reply]

That was done before. It didnt work either. Now someone from the county is running the county. We see where thats going too

#1.1.2 robert on 07/09/10 at 04:30 PM [Reply]

Are YOU serious? Does it matter how much money a thief takes? We are entrusting this person with a lot more responsibility than $800! If one is willing to `sell' their morality/ethics for such a measly sum they will rob the coffers of a bigger treasure chest without a second thought!

#1.1.3 Dorsey Pender on 07/09/10 at 05:09 PM [Reply]

How about following the libertarian viewpoint and legalizing drugs. which would end the waste of BILLIONS of $ fighting a "war" that can't be won. Kind of like the Bush-follies in Afghanistan and Iraq that the GOPoopers love and have nearly bankrupted this nation (morally & financially). Of course any such sentiments engage the barrow bible brigade.

#1.1.4 Me, myself, and I on 07/10/10 at 01:21 AM [Reply]

Chris, are you serious??? A crime is a crime no matter what type is committed. I don't care if it was only $80.00 worth of service he stole, it was still illegal what they did. He also lied to his employer--telling them he needed time off for a "family emergency."

#1.2 The Truth on 07/10/10 at 07:15 AM [Reply]

People, when will you learn. The list of possibles was hand picked by NJB. Danny only saw the list of candidates after NJB and her pack of spineless commissioners eliminated who they wanted to eliminate.NJB was not even officially on the board. Towne came no where close to having the qualifications of either Skinner or Bullock, the local boys, who NJB made it perfectly clear to them she didn't want them.If I were Skinner, tell them you will take the job for $80 annually, and make them sign a contract they cannot reduce your pay when the decide to play the mental yo yo game with you again. Enough is enough.

#2 Anonymous on 07/09/10 at 03:12 PM [Reply]

The Committee of Commissioners had a quality candidate that Danny and his wing man dispensed before any Commission action in order to hire this guy. More proof Barrow is a laughing stock under this administration. The Commission needs to go to a County Manager and eliminate the Chairman.

#2.1 Anonymous on 07/09/10 at 05:24 PM [Reply]

If the BOC wants to put it before the voters to change the county charter to a county manager run government now is the time to do it. Yearwood is the poster child for incompetency. Almost every week, he's done sometime to embarrass and humiliate the county.

#3 good job... on 07/09/10 at 03:13 PM [Reply]

on the hiring thing! Way to go Danny and the gang! How many times does the interim chief have to be appointed as interim chief before he actually gets the job? Seems like he's more than earned it by now.

#4 HAHA on 07/09/10 at 04:43 PM [Reply]

Should have known it was too good to be true for a man to pick up his family and move several miles away from his old employment!! What happened to a through background check BOC? If you would have asked persons from Cairo, they would have told ya!! Goes to show the BOC doesn't do background checks past fingerprinting for Firefighters!!! Boo Ya Yearwood!!

#5 TOMMY on 07/09/10 at 07:20 PM [Reply]

I'm sure the commission chairman and the personnel director will both say they did their very best in the selection process of this man from Cairo. The only thing they did their very best at was being determined to keep the best man from getting the job. John should tell them all to go S. T. H.!!!!

#5.1 Anonymous in Cairo, Ga on 07/09/10 at 11:28 PM [Reply]

Don Towne is NOT from Cairo! He has never been considered a Cairo native!!!! He was imported, and hired as Cairo's Fire Chief for 2 years, 7 months, 18 days, 8 hours, 15 mins, and 59.9 seconds too long! He is getting a dose of what he dished out!(Lies, on top of lies, & more lies) Believe it or not, Interim Chief Jolievette, who was hired before Towne was from Albany, guess what? (Go to walb10.com) He was arrested a few months ago as well for impersonating an officer in Florida! Cairo is in the process of hiring a new chief, and the powers that be, wants to hire yet another unknown out of town "import", instead of a "domestic" model we all know, trust, and love! Nobody local was even considered for an interview. So Barrow Co citizens, we do understand your frustrations! Cuz most of the locals feel we have native sons, & daughters who are qualified to run our own city, county, BOE, etc...... Cuz the imports come for the paycheck only, their hearts are NOT in it at all. Then when the "courtship" is over, the new wears off, and the real duties of the job kicks in full throttle, they tuck tail, and run away, we have to buy out their contracts, & pay them to leave! (Go to wctv6.com, & look up Several Arrested For Stealing Cable In Cairo, Ga) Good Luck 2 U All, We pray we get a Great Chief this time around.

#6 Really? on 07/09/10 at 07:22 PM [Reply]

The selection committee for the fire chief position did not include the Chairman so it's unfair to blame him on this one. And the slate of candidates was presented by the HR Director. Mr. Towne apparently didn't have any irregularities on his record - until now. But I so wish they would have Skinner take the job PERMANENTLY. He has been very gracious in stepping up & stepping down & stepping up yet again.

#6.1 Anonymous on 07/09/10 at 08:26 PM [Reply]

Actually the Chairman did interview the candidates. The news even reported after his interview with the number 1 candidate, the candidate withdrew his name. This is on the Chairman's watch and recommendation.

#7 Yearwood Nothing! on 07/09/10 at 08:13 PM [Reply]

This was again a blunder by Human Resources Director. She is the one that would not allow Mr. Skinner to become chief. Check the facts.

#8 hate to, but on 07/09/10 at 08:45 PM [Reply]

There was no way anyone in Barrow County could have known about this. The GBI didn't disclose it in his criminal history nor should they. It was an investigation that was not public information. So you can't really blame anyone at Barrow county...for this. But, there's plenty to blame on Danny boy so don't get discouraged.

#9 Embarrrassing on 07/09/10 at 08:46 PM [Reply]

Barrow County government is ridiculously embarrassing

#9.1 Anonymous on 07/10/10 at 08:40 PM [Reply]

I agree with you comment 9. get rid of it all and start anew.

#10 Insider that knows on 07/10/10 at 09:45 AM [Reply]

I still am curious as to why a former Fire Chief and his wife were never investigated by the GBI for the wrong doings when she worked for Barrow, I am pretty sure it was more than a $900 cable bill they took???? Oh Well I guess an outside hire for Chief was to good to be true I think we are stuck in Flunkville and there is no way out. I do not blame Crookwood for this one, this is just the luck that Barrow has here! Oh Well back to work Monday and Ill hide in my cubicle and keep hoping things change soon.

#10.1 Anonymous on 07/11/10 at 09:02 AM [Reply]

Good Lord. You sound like Obama blaming Bush for everything. He's been gone for years. Oh, and if you are an "Insider that knows" then contact the GBI with your info. People love to complain, but do not want to take any responsibility in providing a solution. If they point the finger at someone else they figure no one will notice how useless and lazy they are.

#10.1.1 Anonymous on 07/11/10 at 08:50 PM [Reply]

I agree with Insider on this one. When she worked for Barrow she was terminated for adjusting both of their paychecks. This was covered up by the Elder administration I believe (possibly Garrison). This is a typical Barrow County cover up. I just sat bye waiting for the story to end up in the paper and it never did. I was not too suprised though.

#10.1.1.1 Anonymous on 07/13/10 at 08:23 AM [Reply]

Is your evidence hearsay, or do you have documentation? Open records act? Go get it. Let's see it. Are you familiar with the term libel? So we have two folks who knew a crime was taking, or had taken, place and did nothing about. You both are just as guilty. Show us the proof or move on. I'm not defending the accused. I just find it juvenile when folks bring allegations of wrong doing with no proof. There is no excuse for you not obtaining proof. Unless there is none.

#11 Capt. Hook on 07/12/10 at 10:18 AM [Reply]

What ever happened to innocent until proven otherwise???

#11.1 Leroy on 07/12/10 at 12:39 PM [Reply]

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's most likely a duck...

#12 Landon on 07/13/10 at 12:19 AM [Reply]

There has been people terminated from barrow fire with misdemenor charges pending that had no criminal history whats so ever, a spotles file over 10 years of service because there had to be exapmles set. The new cheif comes in with felonies and suspended. Talk about seting examples. As far as the cheifs job, its tainted who would want it.

#13 BarrowCountian on 07/13/10 at 07:28 PM [Reply]

And more people are laughing at us today.

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment: E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.
To leave a comment you must approve it via e-mail, which will be sent to your address after submission.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.

Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above:
Phone*

What is three plus two?
: Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry
: Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.

Barrow County Emergency Chief Arrested

Barrow Journal

Barrow County Emergency Chief Arrested

Recent Stories

Recent Comments

This Week's Poll

Sister Sites

Archives

Community

Keyword Tags