Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds confirms his office is investigating possible misappropriation of grant money in Cobb Juvenile Court.
Reynolds stresses the investigation is in preliminary stages. "We don't know if it will turn into anything criminal," he tells the Marietta Daily Journal. "Hopefully, for the court system it won't. But if it does, then we'll make that call at the appropriate time and if it does, we'll file the appropriate charges."
Search warrants have been served but Reynolds says no arrest warrants have been sought. While Reynolds names no names, Juvenile Court Program Administrator Mea Fagiola has been placed on administrative leave.
Her attorney, Ken Hodges, says Fagiola has been fully cooperating with investigators. "She answered every single question they asked her," he tells the paper. "She has committed no crimes whatsoever."
Hodges says Fagiola was asked about Reconnecting Families, a Marietta non-profit. In a prepared statement, the organization says its books are audited regularly and open for inspection.
A spokesman for the non-profit acknowledges the property of executive director Debbie Ponder was searched based on a sealed search warrant. Ponder has no comment on the investigation.
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