Scottsboro, Alabama - May 5, 2021 - More on the "Guffey Affair" - *** April 30, 2021 - Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts - Special Report on the Jackson County Commission*** UPDATE - May 10, 2021 - Commission Attempts to Censor and Limit Speech on Facebook Regarding Venable Video

Former Commission Chair Tim Guffey, resigned in December 2020 (photo by G. Morgan)

A study of history reveals the coverup of public corruption and/or criminal activity is often worse than the original corrupt or criminal act. When the Jackson County Commission received this official report they had a responsibility to report this to the public, the citizens of Jackson County Alabama, they failed to do so. The report was released officially via the Alabama Department of Public Examiners Friday, April 30, 2021, 5 days ago. Poor judgement on the part of the commissioners in this case is not a criminal act, it certainly is a consideration for the voters of Jackson County come time for reelection

APRIL 30, 2021 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EXAMINERS SPECIAL REPORT REGARDING NONCOMPLIANCE WITH POLICY AND LAW, MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS VIA ISSUED COUNTY CREDIT CARD INVOLVING THE FORMER JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIR, TIM GUFFEY.

SUMMARY

April 30, 2021 -  Quote from the Department of Public Examiners: “Official demand was made on the former Chairman requesting payments totaling $3,918.11."

 The former Chairman failed to appear at a meeting before the Chief Examiner and show just cause why the amounts should not be repaid; therefore, relief is accordingly denied as evidenced by the Order of the Chief Examiner contained in this report. After the Order of the Chief Examiner was issued, the charges were repaid in full. Alabama Department of Public Examiners Report - 21-236 - 04/30/2021 - Jackson County Commission-Special - County Audit - 08/24/2018 to 12/04/2020   LINK TO AUDIT:  https://examiners.alabama.gov/PDFLink.aspx?IDReport=6098

21-236 A -  Department of Examiners of Public Accounts

SUMMARY

Special Report on the Jackson County Commission August 24, 2018 through December 4, 2020 

The Jackson County Commission (the “Commission”) is governed by a five-member body elected by the citizens of Jackson County. The members and administrative personnel in charge of governance of the Commission are listed on Exhibit 1. The Commission is the governmental agency that provides general administration, public safety, construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges, sanitation services, and health and welfare services to the citizens of Jackson County.

This report presents the results of a special examination of the Jackson County Commission and a review of compliance with applicable laws and regulations in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts under the authority of the Code of Alabama 1975, Section 41-5A-12. We performed an examination of credit card transactions and other expenditures made by the Commission to determine whether inappropriate use of public funds occurred. 

FINDINGS

Instances of noncompliance with state and local laws and regulations and other matters were found during the examination, as shown on the Schedule of Findings and they are summarized below.

♦ 2021-001 relates to the former Commission Chairman’s noncompliance with requirements prescribed by the Chief Examiner of Public Accounts and the county’s travel policy regarding credit card usage and documentation of credit card charges.

♦ 2021-002 relates to the former Commission Chairman’s failure to provide an adequate reason for mileage claimed for travel.

21-236 B  - CHARGES AGAINST OFFICIAL

As reflected on Exhibit 2, the charges against the former Commission Chairman resulted from noncompliance with requirements prescribed by the Chief Examiner of Public Accounts and the county’s travel policy related to credit card usage and documentation of credit card charges, as well as the failure to provide an adequate reason for mileage claimed for travel. Official demand was made on the former Chairman requesting payments totaling $3,918.11.

The former Chairman failed to appear at a meeting before the Chief Examiner and show just cause why the amounts should not be repaid; therefore, relief is accordingly denied as evidenced by the Order of the Chief Examiner contained in this report.  After the Order of the Chief Examiner was issued, the charges were repaid in full.

EXIT CONFERENCE

The Commission members and administrative personnel, as reflected on Exhibit 1, were invited to discuss the results of this report at an exit conference held via teleconference. Individuals in attendance were: Commissioners: Danny Rich and Jason Venable; and Bob Manning, County Administrator. Also, in attendance was a representative from the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts: Dixie Broadwater, Special Projects Manager. The results of this report were also discussed individually via telephone with the former Commission Chairman, Tim Guffey.

NEWS ARTICLES RELATED TO THIS ISSUE

Jackson County Sentinel:     http://jcsentinel.com/feature_story/article_211688d4-ada8-11eb-9d5e-dbf8c9f98ffd.html

WAFF-TV: Former Jackson County Commissioner pays nearly $4,000 back to county for misuse of funds (msn.com)

WHNT-TV: Former Jackson County commission chairman repays county for improper credit card usage | WHNT.com

WAAY-TV: Audit found questionable spending by former Jackson County Commission chairman (waaytv.com)

From the Clarion on Facebook, Statement of Jackson County Commissioner Jason Venable:   https://www.facebook.com/JCCommissionAL/videos/6281725705171203/

May 5, 2021 - "Guffey Affair" - Fair Use Copy of Jackson County Commission Acting Chair Person Jason Venable Video

  Mr. Venable does not accurately portray the seriousness of this event in his statement, Clarion's Facebook link above, and all that surrounds Guffey's resignation. Quote from the Chief Examiner in the audit report: "Instances of noncompliance with state and local laws. . ." The near $4000 of credit card abuse may have been repaid; who repaid the tax payers of the county for the auditors cost ($5,000-$10,000 maybe more), who has repaid the county for Guffey setting at home doing nothing for 4 months, December 2020 thru April 2021, at tax payers expense, approximately $19,000, per commission approval, for his alleged illegal and unethical behavior regarding sexual harassment and creation of a hostile work environment, including alleged criminal behavior investigated by state law enforcement investigators? What is the outcome of that investigation?  What type of actions is the county taking to insure sexual discrimination and creation of a hostile work environment will not reoccur?

COMMISSION ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT AND CENSOR SPEECH RELATED TO THE GUFFEY AFFAIR AND ACTING CHAIR JASON VENABLE'S VIDEO OF SPECIAL REPORT AUDIT

Photo capture on Jackson County Commissions Facebook site by G. Morgan. Identifying names removed. (Click on image to expand.)

Jackson County Commission attempts to limit and censor citizen speech relating to Commissioner Venable's questionable comments, discussed below, via a video he posted on the Jackson County Commission's Facebook site regarding the recent State of Alabama Department of Public Examiners Audit disclosure of former Commission Chair Guffey's misuse of county funds.

Unfortunately, the Jackson County Commission has placed this notice to the video posting of Mr. Venable on the Commission's Facebook Page, quote: ->"JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION LIMITED WHO CAN COMMENT ON THIS POST." <-

Commissioners, you are the stewards of the citizens of Jackson County Alabama. You have no right to limit the comments or censor speech from one or more citizens, unless it is a threat or violates law. Your page on Facebook is the Public Square and a Public Forum of the government entity.

The citizenry, whom you work for have every right to express their discontent or dissent with your actions. Including those actions when placed on a public forum, such as the Jackson County Commission's Facebook site. The limitation of speech regarding your actions are directly violating the Constitution of the State of Alabama, and your oath of office.

Quote: "Alabama Constitution - SECTION 4

Freedom of speech and press.

That no law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press; and any person may speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty."

The Guffey Affair:     https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Guffey%20Affair

 

Scottsboro, Alabama - May 3, 2021 - Scottsboro City Council Work Session - Compliance or Forensic Audit, Proposed Auditing Firm

 

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

Proposed Auditing Firm brought forward - MDA Professional Group, Local Government Audits, costs discussed, $4K-$8K.

Link: http://mdacpa.com/local-government-units/

VIDEO

Scottsboro, Alabama - Update - May 4, 2021 - Swearing In Ceremony of Commission Chair - May 3, 2021 Jackson County Commission Meeting Continuation from Tuesday, April 27, 2021 - Alabama Governor Kay Ivey Appoints Retired Major General Willie B. Nance, Jr. as Chair of the Jackson County Commission - May 5, 2021 UPDATE - Then there is the Department of Public Examiners Report, The "Guffey Affair" Link at Bottom of Page.

 

 UPDATE MAY 4, 2021 - Swearing In Ceremony of Commission Chair, Willie B Nance, Jr., Major General, U.S. Army, Retired, Mrs. Johnnie Nance Holds Bible, Presiding Circuit Court Judge, The Honorable John Graham Administers the Oath of Office. (photo by G. Morgan)

VIDEO OF CEREMONY

PHOTOGRAPHS OF CEREMONY

MG.(Retired) Willie B. Nance Jr., Jackson County Commission Chair (photo by G. Morgan)

Left to Right - Commissioner. McBride, Commission Chair Nance, Commissioner/Former Acting Chair Venable, Commissioner McBride (photo by G. Morgan)

Commission Chair Nance, Mrs. Nance and Judge Graham (photo by G. Morgan)

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey appointed MG Nance yesterday, May 3, 2021, Governors appointment letter is contained within the WAFF TV link below.

Outgoing Acting Chair Jason Venable received many praises for a job well done during a difficult time. (photo by G. Morgan)

Jackson County Courthouse North Entrance, photo by G. Morgan

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey appointed Retired Major General Willie Nance, Jr. to serve as the Jackson County Commission Chair. The Swearing-In Ceremony will occur at the Jackson County Courthouse, Courtroom 1, at 12 noon May 4, 2021

Attribution Source - Jackson County Commission, Fair Use for Non-Profit News and Commentary

Military Bio of Major General (Retired) Willie B. Nance, Jr.: Major General Willie B. Nance Jr., Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame Inductee 2011, U.S. Army Ordnance Corps 

WAFF-TV With Governor's Appointment Letter -  https://www.waff.com/2021/05/03/gov-ivey-appoints-new-jackson-county-commission-chairman/

WHNT-TV https://whnt.com/news/gov-ivey-appoints-new-jackson-county-commission-chairman/

AGENDA

https://www.jacksoncountyal.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272021-137 

VIDEO

Will this be the end of the "Guffey Affair"? (NO) Update May 5, 2021)

https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Guffey%20Affair

Regarding Guffey Affair and allegations by Jackson County Employee source stating knowledge of events. Reference April 27, 2021 posting this blog linked above, "Guffey Affair." - May, 3, 2021 - Interviews with Commissioner Buckner and Commissioner Rich separately. - Both Commissioners emphatically deny that any meeting occurred in secret or otherwise, with them participating, regarding decision making to remove any information, evidence, etc. regarding video or photographs of female persons which may have been allegedly photographed or downloaded by former Commission Chair Guffey contained on Jackson County data systems or computer systems. 

Discussion with  former Acting Chair Venable today, May 4, 2021: Commissioner Venable state he welcomed any law enforcement investigation. Any information which was discovered was turned over to the appropriate law enforcement agency via the county attorney. Commissioner Venable further stated, paraphrased: "There was no wrong doing on my part, I always acted within the law."

MORE ON GUFFEY AFFAIR

PUBLIC EXAMINERS REPORT

(Guffey's corrupt intent apparent.)

 The former Chairman failed to appear at a meeting before the Chief Examiner and show just cause why the amounts should not be repaid; therefore, relief is accordingly denied as evidenced by the Order of the Chief Examiner contained in this report. After the Order of the Chief Examiner was issued, the charges were repaid in full. Alabama Department of Public Examiners Report - 21-236 - 04/30/2021 - Jackson County Commission-Special - County Audit - 08/24/2018 to 12/04/2020   LINK TO AUDIT:  https://examiners.alabama.gov/PDFLink.aspx?IDReport=6098

April 26, 2021 - Scottsboro, Alabama - ( City and County Government Meetings Review, Important Issues) - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session - Ron Latimer Named as Chief of Police for the City of Scottsboro, Alabama - Update - April 27, 2021 - Jackson County Commission Agenda and Video Links - "Guffey Affair" - Breaking News on Commission Chair Position - UPDATE: April 28, 2021 - Alleged Criminal and Ethics Issues for Commission - UPDATE May 3, 2021 - Commissioners Deny Decision Making Meeting Occurred to Remove Photographs or Video From Commission Computers or Data System

 

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION - BREAKING NEWS - Per Jackson County Acting Chair, Jason Venable, Governor is expected to appoint Chair of Commission by Friday, April 30, 2021

(More info on the Jackson County Commission and pending issues below.)

****************************

SCOTTSBORO POLICE CHIEF APPOINTED

RONALD LATIMER

                                                    AGENDA

MEETING VIDEO

                                          *******************************

JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION

Jackson County Courthouse North Entrance, photo by G. Morgan

BREAKING NEWS:  Per County Commission Acting Chair, Jason Venable: (paraphrased) "The Governors Office is interviewing specific candidates for the Appointment of the Commission Chair today and tomorrow. It is expected that we should have an individual named replacement by Friday, April 30, 2021.

Former Jackson County Commission Chair Tim Guffey. Resignation to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on December 18, 2020, effective date of resignation per resignation letter, April 11, 2021. (Photo by G. Morgan)

Is this the conclusion of the "Guffey Affair?" 

Some would like to think so, it is not, there is more to come. Unfortunately some local politicians have not learned the lessons of history; "the coverup is often worse than the original offense." 

WHAT ARE THE "MORE TO COME" PROBLEMS AND ALLEGATIONS FOR FORMER COMMISSION CHAIR GUFFEY AND THE JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION?

Alleged criminal and ethics issues remaining, not resolved, per interview with persons knowledgeable regarding the alleged criminal and unethical events: 1) Alleged sexual assault; 2) alleged threatening communications; 3) creation of hostile work environment,\ (established), (a) alleged violation of Civil Rights Act, (b) allegedly utilizing the "color of law and official position" to sexually harass, threaten, stalk employees, thus creation of a hostile work environment; 4) alleged stalking, hidden videoing of female personnel in their workplace. 5) alleged tampering with physical evidence related to a criminal act; 6) alleged conspiracy by political officials, 5 or more persons, to destroy video documentation, video record, of events related to criminal acts or violation of Civil Rights; 7) alleged secret meeting with a quorum of  commissioners and with other county officials/employees for the purpose of destruction of video evidence.

UPDATE: May, 3, 2021 - Interviews with Commissioner Buckner and Commissioner Rich seperately. - Both Commissioners emphatically deny that any meeting occurred in secret or otherwise, with them participating, regarding decision making to remove any information, evidence, etc. regarding video or photographs of female persons which may have been allegedly photographed or downloaded by former Commission Chair Guffey contained on Jackson County data systems or computer systems. 

AGENDA LINK:   https://www.jacksoncountyal.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04272021-137 

VIDEO LINK: 

https://www.facebook.com/JCCommissionAL/videos/1227879727631667

April 19, 2021 - Scottsboro, Alabama - Scottsboro City Council Work Session - Porter Road Rezoning and New Subdivision Proposal - Thomas Albritton, Esq., Executive Director , Alabama Ethics Commission Presentation - UPDATE - April 20, 2021 Council Member Tolliver Audit Request, Specifically Financial Accountability

 

Scottsboro City Hall, photo by G. Morgan

COMPLIANCE vs FORENSIC AUDIT ISSUES

Long term issues within the City of Scottsboro which might warrant a Forensic Audit. 

Council Member Tolliver Video at article end, request for Financial Accountability Audit.

All things related to the Scottsboro City Auditing Issues relating to financial accountability on this blog, 12 years of issues:   https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Scottsboro%20City%20Audit  The issue goes deeper than financial accountability, there have been issues of property accountability/property management - https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/property%20management  , theft of funds/cash control - https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/cash%20control  , sexual harassment, false allegations creating a hostile work environment - https://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/cash%20control and inter-related issues documented on this blog and in the local press which might warrant a Forensic Audit. 

Scottsboro, Alabama - City Council Work Session. End of session Thomas Albritton, Esq., Executive Director, Alabama Ethics Commission made presentation (special video). Agenda topics of note: New First Monday Ordinance discussed; audit issue was brought forward once again (special video); rezoning of property on Porter Road for new homes; part time temporary City clerk to be considered; resolution regarding state law and small wireless facilities; Mayor mentions road closures for purpose of resurfacing. Full Agenda, videos and photographs below, with information on Porter Road re-zoning issue and home development project; video of Thomas Albritton, Executive Director Alabama Ethics Commission.

AGENDA

(Click on image to expand.)

Porter Road Rezoning Project and Home Development Presentation

(Click on image to expand.)

Map

Proposed Home Examples

MEETING VIDEO 

Thomas Albritton, Esq., Executive Director , Alabama Ethics Commission Presentation

         PHOTOGRAPHS RELATED TO AGENDA ISSUES 

Scottsboro Mayor Jim McCamy explains road resurfacing project. 

(photo by G. Morgan) 

City Council President and City Clerk Whitney Phillips discuss hire of temporary part time assistant clerk to fill in while Mrs. Phillips will be absent on Maternity Leave. 

(photo by G. Morgan)

Scottsboro City Attorney Steve Kennamer discusses Resolution regarding Alabama Act 2021-5 regarding Small Wireless Facilities. (photo by G. Morgan)

UPDATE -APRIL 20, 2021 - COMPLIANCE vs FORENSIC AUDIT ISSUE, FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Council Member Nita Tolliver brings forth issue of needing second audit. Issue of Compliance audit vs Forensic audit. Council Member Tolliver requests specifically an audit related to financial accountability. Ms. Tolliver volunteers her council member pay to pay for the audit.

April 12, 2021 - Scottsboro, Alabama - Scottsboro City Council Regular Session - Jackson County Commission Agenda and Video Links

 

Scottsboro City Hall photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA

VIDEO

 JACKSON COUNTY COMMISSION - April 12, 2021

Jackson County Courthouse, North Entrance, photo by G. Morgan

AGENDA LINK: https://www.jacksoncountyal.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04122021-136

VIDEO LINK: https://www.facebook.com/JCCommissionAL/videos/302737894809923