GBI takes over sexual misconduct investigation

The GBI is taking over the investigation of possible sexual misconduct by an official with a university in North Georgia.

The state agency confirmed it was asked by Rome police Thursday to take over the probe of Shorter University Vice President Corey Humphries, spokeswoman Nelly Miles said.

“We anticipate beginning an investigation next week,” Miles told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an email.

The request was made to ensure transparency, police said.

“Because Paula Penson’s husband works for the Rome Police Department and in an effort to be completely transparent and unbiased, the decision was made to request the GBI take over the investigation,” Debbie Burnett, assistant police chief, told the Rome News-Tribune.

Penson, director of campus safety at Shorter and a former Floyd County deputy, told police that Humphries, her supervisor, had been harassing her since July, according to reports.

She said Humphries touched her “inner thighs and private area” with his hands during a gym workout, police said. She told police she immediately told Humphries to stop and left the gym.

Humphries afterward didn’t put his hands on Penson but began verbally harassing her, police said.

Penson filed a complaint in October with the university, which has removed Humphries’ name from the website.

“The university does not comment on personnel matters,” spokeswoman Dawn Tolbert told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday.