Ex-prosecutor charged with 33 theft counts

A former assistant district attorney in the Piedmont Judicial Circuit is facing 33 counts of theft by taking in connection with missing court fines and fees, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Officials began investigating Samuel Elias Skelton, 32, in August 2015 after the Banks County Sheriff’s Office found irregularities in the evidence room regarding Skelton, GBI spokesman Scott Dutton said. Sheriff Carlton Speed shared those irregularities with District Attorney Brad Smith and the GBI was requested to investigate.

Skelton was indicted June 2, and surrendered to the sheriff’s office a week later, Dutton said. He was released on bond from the Banks County jail.

Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens has appointed a special prosecutor in the case, Dutton said.

About the Author

Steve Burns

Winter’s here, but warmer forecast means snow is far from certain

Despite recent frigid temperatures, this season might feel more like a typical late fall in the Peach State, making for slim chances to see any snow.

Woman dies after fall from Emory University building, police say

A woman fell to her death from an Emory University building shortly after midnight Friday, officials confirmed.

College football player killed in DeKalb fire remembered for kind spirit

Georgia Military College student and football player Izaiah Taylor, who had been a standout at South Gwinnett High School, was home for the holidays when the fire ignited.

The Latest

Credit: JOHN SPINK / AJC

Gridlock Guy: Getting a motorcycle for Christmas? Get some schooling.

Winter’s here, but warmer forecast means snow is far from certain

Woman dies after fall from Emory University building, police say

Featured

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Judge keeps alive subpoenas of Fulton County’s 2020 ballots

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney clears the way for Georgia's State Election Board to obtain Fulton ballots and other documents from the 2020 election.

Winter’s here, but warmer forecast means snow is far from certain

Despite recent frigid temperatures, this season might feel more like a typical late fall in the Peach State, making for slim chances to see any snow.

Philanthropy helped shape Atlanta. Here’s how that legacy endures.

Philanthropy helped shape Atlanta. And foundation-giving has had huge ripple effects not only in the metro area, but far beyond Georgia.