Fulton candidate wanted on misdemeanor charge
A Fulton County Commission candidate is wanted by North Carolina authorities for failing to appear at a court hearing on unpaid child support.
An arrest warrant was issued two years ago for Abraham Watson, 29, of College Park, said Chief Deputy Brad Stanley of the Forsyth County, N.C., Sheriff’s Office. Failing to appear in court is a misdemeanor offense.
Watson is the Republican candidate for District 6, which includes much of south Fulton County.
The warrant, issued in December 2012, indicates Watson must pay $300 per month in child support. He was $3,098 in arrears at the time.
Watson declined to provide information on how much he currently owes. But he said he was not aware of the arrest warrant. He said he was “in communication with all the agencies.”
Watson said he has been making child support payments. He said the child who is the recipient of the payments visited him just last month.
“I have a wonderful relationship with my child,” he said.
Stanley said North Carolina typically does not seek extradition of offenders who violate child support orders. But he said Watson could be arrested if he returns to North Carolina.
Watson is seeking to unseat incumbent Democrat Emma Darnell in the District 6 race. Darnell said she is “not aware of issues affecting his personal circumstances,” but knows his “position on issues affecting residents of Fulton County are in direct conflict with mine.”
About the Author
David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
