Current:Home > ScamsA Georgia mayor indicted for allegedly trying to give inmates alcohol has been suspended-LoTradeCoin
A Georgia mayor indicted for allegedly trying to give inmates alcohol has been suspended
View Date:2024-12-23 22:05:25
THOMSON, Ga. (AP) — The mayor of a small Georgia town has been suspended after he was indicted over allegations that he illegally left a bottle of gin in a ditch for a state prison work crew.
Thomson Mayor Benjamin “Benji” Cary Cranford, 52, was suspended Friday by Gov. Brian Kemp after a review panel concluded that the charges hurt his ability to perform his job.
The August indictment in McDuffie County Superior Court says Cranford drove to a store June 3, bought a bottle of Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin and left it in a ditch along Georgia 150 in Thomson in the path of a work crew from the Jefferson County Correctional Institution. He is charged with two felonies — furnishing prohibited items to inmates and attempting to commit a felony.
Three days later Thomson police asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to investigate the claim that Cranford gave alcohol to inmates, the GBI has said.
Agents arrested the mayor at Thomson City Hall after a council meeting and led him away in handcuffs. He is free on $5,000 bail.
Cranford has told WRDW-TV that he doesn’t remember what he did June 3 and doesn’t know any prisoners in the Jefferson County facility.
Cranford will remain suspended without pay until the charges are resolved or his term of office ends.
Cranford won election last year, beating 12-year-incumbent Kenneth Usry. A paving contractor before he was elected, Cranford later settled a lawsuit alleging he tried to hide assets from a bonding company that was on the hook to pay some of his company’s debts.
veryGood! (5379)
Related
- How many dog breeds are there? A guide to groups recognized in the US
- Josh Duhamel Details Co-Parenting Relationship With Amazing Ex Fergie
- The Taliban have detained 18 staff, including a foreigner, from an Afghanistan-based NGO, it says
- Josh Duhamel Details Co-Parenting Relationship With Amazing Ex Fergie
- Nicole Scherzinger receives support from 'The View' hosts after election post controversy
- Some Florida church leaders blame DeSantis after racist Jacksonville shooting
- Katharine McPhee, David Foster break silence on their nanny's death
- World Cup champion Spain willing to sacrifice their own glory to end sexism, abuse
- 1 dead, 2 children injured in wrong-way crash; driver suspected of DWI: Reports
- New Jersey’s casinos, tracks and partners won $531M from gamblers in August
Ranking
- Judge weighs the merits of a lawsuit alleging ‘Real Housewives’ creators abused a cast member
- 'Learning stage:' Vikings off to disappointing 0-2 start after loss to Eagles
- Indiana state senator says he’ll resign, citing `new professional endeavors’
- Climate change could bring more storms like Hurricane Lee to New England
- Groups seek a new hearing on a Mississippi mail-in ballot lawsuit
- Judge: Sexual harassment lawsuit against California treasurer by employee she fired can go to trial
- Deal Alert: These Saks Off 5th Fashion, Beauty & Home Finds Start at $10
- Man convicted of bomb threat outside Library of Congress sentenced to probation after year in jail
Recommendation
-
Forget the bathroom. When renovating a home, a good roof is a no-brainer, experts say.
-
Steve Spurrier reflects on Tennessee-Florida rivalry, how The Swamp got its name and more
-
U.S. ambassador to Russia visits jailed WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich
-
Deliberations in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial head into a second day
-
Jennifer Lopez Gets Loud in Her First Onstage Appearance Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
-
Authorities searching for hiker missing in Kings Canyon National Park
-
A judge rules Ohio can’t block Cincinnati gun ordinances, but state plans to appeal
-
How the UAW strike could have ripple effects across the economy