Thomson Mayor’s indictment under review by special commission

THOMSON, Ga. (WJBF) – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed an order on September 9 ^th , appointing Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr, Harlem Mayor Roxanne Whitaker, and Grovetown Mayor Gary Jones to a review commission to determine whether the Thomson Mayor’s August 14th indictment relates to or adversely affects the administration of his mayoral duties.

Mayor Benji Cranford is charged with one count of Furnishing Prohibited Items to Inmates and one count of Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony.

The Thomson Police Department requested the GBI investigate an allegation that Cranford reportedly gave alcohol to an inmate on work detail, on June 4.

The review commission has the responsibility of deciding whether the rights and interests of the public are adversely affected by the indictment against Cranford and whether the mayor should be suspended from office.

The order includes a deadline of two weeks for the review commission to submit a written report to Governor Kemp. That deadline is this week.

This is a developing story.

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