Investigation Into Possible Northern Circuit DA Candidate

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

A possible candidate for the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s race is now under investigation by the State.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is looking into allegations that Banks County Assistant District Attorney Sam Skelton may have removed items from the Banks County Sheriff’s Office evidence room.

According to a report on Mainstreet.com, Piedmont Circuit District Attorney Brad Smith said that Banks County Sheriff Carlton Speed contacted him recently about allegations of the possible mishandling of evidence within the Banks County District Attorney’s Office.

Smith said he immediately requested the Georgia Bureau of Investigation look into the matter.

According to Smith, the investigation began August 28th and is still ongoing, but no information has been released regarding what might have gone missing from the evidence room.

Smith said he also asked State Attorney General Sam Olens to assign a special prosecutor to advise the GBI during this investigation.

Smith said his office is cooperating fully with the GBI investigation.

Skelton, who lives in Royston, has filed a Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report with the State regarding his intention to begin collecting campaign contributions for a possible race against current Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Parks White in 2016, but he has not made any official declaration.

Skelton’s attorney has not yet commented on the matter.