Q&A on the News
Q: I would like to know the status of Dwight Brown, the former Cobb EMC CEO. What has taken him so long to be brought to trial on 31 counts of criminal charges?
—Haywood Thomas, Acworth
A: There are various reasons for the delays in bringing Brown to trial, Don Geary, Cobb County's chief assistant district attorney, told Q&A on the News.
There have been “multiple” appeals in the case against Brown, the former Cobb EMC president who is charged with turning the non-profit utility into a for-profit company.
“It is a very large and a very complex case,” Geary said. “Some of the attorneys that started on it are no longer in the office. One of our lead attorneys, Mr. John Floyd, has been in the middle of the (Atlanta Public Schools) trial for the last seven months. Those things added up with everybody’s conflicting schedules.”
Cobb County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Flournoy is looking for a time to set motions, Geary said. “It is coming up,” he said. “With everyone getting out of court, hopefully it will start moving forward.”
Brown is charged with 31 counts of racketeering, making false statements, conspiracy and the theft of millions from Cobb EMC and its members. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in 2011 and is not in jail.
“I personally think there are going to be rather hard-fought motions on both sides, which might result in another appeal,” Geary said. “This is not a normal case.”
Andy Johnston wrote this column; Katy Roberts contributed. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
