City manager: facts don't back claims against Chattahoochee Hills chief accused of wrongdoing

By Tammy Joyner

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A South Fulton County police chief accused of giving alcohol to a 19-year-old female firefighter will remain on the job.

“Right now, city leadership does not feel like it is appropriate to remove the chief,” said Carol Wolfe, city manager of Chattahoochee Hills, a community of about 2,500 tucked in the southwest corner of Fulton County. “You have to base decisions like this on facts.”

Allegations against police chief Damon Jones surfaced earlier this week after a report detailing the alleged incidents was filed with the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. Wolfe said the allegations first came to her attention in July when she and Mayor Don Hayes each received two anonymous typed letters accusing Jones of serving liquor to an under-aged woman, a city firefighter, and hosting sex parties with employees. Both Jones and the woman were questioned about the allegations. Both denied the claims. “That’s where we left it,” Wolfe said.  Coweta County officials called her about the report which was filed with them recently.

At the Blue-Eyed Daisy Bakeshop, employee Nicki McBurnett said she “couldn’t believe” the allegations against Jones, a regular patron.

“He comes in and has breakfast a lot and take really good care of us,” the 20 year old Chattahoochee resident said. “He’s a really nice guy. He always looks like he’s doing business. He doesn’t look like a party kinda guy. I definitely feel safe with him here.”

Meanwhile, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said it is not investigating the claims against Jones. The state agency has no interest in “looking at a misdemeanor for underage drinking,” GBI spokesman John Bankhead said.

Jones did not return a phone call from the AJC.