Victor Hill files for bankruptcy

Outgoing Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill filed for bankruptcy during his last week in office.

Hill, who ends his single term at midnight Wednesday, filed suit Tuesday in U.S. District Court, claiming he does not have enough money to pay $1.7 million in damages for several lawsuits. This includes a judgment for $475,000 he owes to Mark Tuggle, the brother of Hill’s predecessor as sheriff. Tuggle won a lawsuit against Hill in U.S. District Court in October after a jury found Hill guilty of false arrest.

Enlarge this image

Johnny Crawford / AJC

Victor Hill’s tumultuous term as Clayton County sheriff began on his first day in office in 2005 when he fired 27 deputies.

Recent headlines:

• Clayton property owners face higher taxes 
• Clayton may need sizable tax increase 
• 2 Clayton teens shot in apparent argument 

   • Clayton County news

Hill did not return a phone call nor an e-mail Wednesday night. His lawyer, Shonterria Martin, also did not return a phone call nor an e-mail.

In addition to the Tuggle suit, Hill listed potential damages from at least three pending federal lawsuits and an anticipated civil service action by sheriff’s employee Jonathan Newton, according to court records. Newton claimed Hill forced him to work on the sheriff’s personal business during county time.

Hill also claimed he owes $273,000 on a mortgage for his Riverdale home. He listed assets of $12,150 and a pension plan, including $6,400 in bank accounts, $3,500 worth of furniture, $2,000 worth of clothing and $250 for two guns, according to court records.

Hill made $105,000 in 2008 as sheriff.

Clayton County attorney Michael Smith said Tuggle’s attorney notified him about the bankruptcy on Wednesday, but he did not have details about the filing.

The bankruptcy is the cap to Hill’s tumultuous four-year term that began on his first day in office in 2005 when he fired 27 deputies. The deputies sued Hill for wrongful termination. They won their jobs back and settled for $7 million, which was paid by Clayton County.

The Clayton County Commission is also investigating Hill for alleged credit abuse. Commissioners allege Hill used a county credit card to pay for a trip to Las Vegas earlier this month. Hill said he was attending a conference. However, County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell previously said he did not authorize the trip.

In August, Hill lost a bid for re-election to attorney Kem Kimbrough and put his Riverdale house on the market for $295,900. Kimbrough takes over as sheriff Thursday.

— News Researcher Sharon Gaus contributed to this article.