Attorney for City of Columbus’ HR manager says she committed no crimes

COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — The attorney for one of three Columbus City employees under investigation, according to Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office, spoke out on Wednesday afternoon. He says his client, Human Resources Director Reather Hollowell, has committed no crimes.

On Thursday, Aug. 15, WRBL broke the story of three high-ranking city officials who appear to be under criminal investigation .

A letter from Muscogee County District Attorney Don Kelly to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia revealed Finance Director Angelica Alexander, Human Resources Director Reather Hollowell and an unnamed deputy city manager are under investigation involving “possible criminal acts.”

That information was part of a document WRBL obtained through the Georgia Open Records Act.

WRBL spoke to Chuck Boring, an Atlanta defense attorney, who has been retained by Hollowell.

“Initially, what I’ve found is much ado about nothing as far as my client, Reather Hollowell,” said Boring. “The fact that any investigating agency would have forwarded a thought or an insinuation that she had done something criminal, it is just wrong. I think the district attorney absolutely did the right thing once he had this dumped in his lap and sent it to a conflict prosecutor.”

Boring is adamant his client has done no wrong, saying “if the sheriff’s office was investigating this and they in any way insinuated my client had committed any type of crime, then they’re going down the wrong path.”

The city employees were identified by job title, and not by name, in the DA’s letter of recusal. There are two deputy city managers, neither of which were named.

There have been no criminal charges filed. The case is in the office of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia under preliminary investigation.

This started as an administrative sheriff’s office investigation. Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman said it turned criminal, but has provided no specifics on the alleged crimes.

This investigation started in January. The city’s Finance Department has been under a cloud of scrutiny for more than a year.

There was an internal audit that discovered what the city auditor said at the time were millions in unaccounted for funds. There was an external audit by an Atlanta law firm that discovered about $2.5 million in uncollected, but collectable funds.

Boring sent this statement to WRBL on behalf of his client:

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.