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4 Clayton board members pass residence check
More pending; problem cited in ethics probe


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/11/08

Police have cleared four of eight remaining Clayton County School Board members after finding they live in their districts as the law requires.

Investigators found that David Ashe, Eddie White, Michelle Strong and Yolanda Everett live in the districts they represent, Chief Jeffrey Turner said Monday.

Police are continuing to investigate board chairwoman Ericka Davis and board members Lois Baines-Hunter, Sandra Scott and Rod Johnson, Turner said.

"We're not saying the others have problems, but we're just waiting for more documentation and continuing the investigation," Turner said.

Norreese Haynes, who was voted off of the school board last week, said he plans to file an appeal this week. The board voted to remove Haynes after investigators found Haynes lived in Marietta for at least two years.

Investigators are awaiting subpoenas to receive additional records regarding the four members still being investigated. The investigation should be done by the end of the week, Turner said.

Tax Commissioner Terry Baskin has said he received complaints Baines-Hunter lives in Hampton, which is outside her district.

Baines-Hunter and Scott also have not signed affidavits verifying their addresses.

Investigators are waiting to hear from Johnson, who has said he plans to resign.

Johnson did not return phone calls Monday.

Anyone found to have lied on an affidavit to run for office or to register to vote could face criminal charges. Police have not decided if they plan to prosecute Haynes, Turner said.

"We're not on a hunting expedition," Turner said. "We don't want to hang everybody, but we do take those offenses serious."

Illegal residency was one of a string of ethics violations the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools cited when recommending the district's accreditation be revoked Sept. 1. Four police detectives are working with the county tax commissioner's office and the secretary of state's office to check board members' residency.

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