A candidate in the Clayton County sheriff’s race is under fire for allegedly misrepresenting where he lives.
Clarence Cox III goes before the county board of elections this afternoon to answer questions about his residency status.
It's been a tough month for Cox who lost his job as head of security for the county school district and now faces scrutiny in his bid for sheriff.
The 53-year-old lawman who specialized in drug enforcement for most of his 34-year career, insists he has lived in Clayton County for 30 years. But a challenge filed against Cox with the board of elections states Cox lived in Fulton County until recently but used his ex-wife’s Clayton address to vote in elections. The challenge, filed by Clayton resident Stan Byars, also states that Cox has only lived in Clayton within the last few months after he and his current wife purchased a house in January. A candidate for sheriff must have lived in the county for at least two years in order to qualify to run for the office.
Cox declined to go into details saying “I’m not trying to put my life’s story in the paper. This is a witch hunt.”
Cox noted that he told school district officials in January of his intention to run for sheriff. In February, he said he was told “they were going to terminate my employment.” His last day with the school district was February 29, according to school district officials. Cox had been with the school system since July 2013 when the district established its own police department.
A spokesman for the school district declined to discuss Cox’s case.
“That’s a personnel matter and we’re not able to comment,” said Charles White, a school district spokesman.
Cox is running against three other challengers — Chris Pogers, Dwayne Fabian and Satira Walker — as well as incumbent Sheriff Victor Hill.
The board of elections hearing is scheduled for 4 p.m. today at the county administration complex, 112 Smith St. in Jonesboro.
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