Franklin Co. Commissioner Arrested

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Franklin County Commissioner David Strickland of Lavonia has been indicted on two felony counts in connection with the purchase of property in Canon.

The indictments were handed down Monday by the Franklin County Grand Jury.

Afterward, a judge issued a bench warrant on behalf of the grand jury for the 56-year-old Strickland.

Strickland was indicted on one count of felony Theft by Deception and one count of Exploitation of Elder Person.

According to count one of the indictment, Strickland allegedly used deceptive practices to buy property on Starrs Bridge Road in Canon in January that at the time was owned by an elderly couple.

The indictment alleges Strickland used “deceitful means and artful practice” by telling the couple they had to sell the property to Strickland’s wife in order to avoid losing their home, rather than filing bankruptcy.

Strickland then allegedly kept the proceeds of the sale of the property.

Count two of the indictment alleges Strickland used the couple’s Social Security payments and the property for his own personal gain and then charged the couple $500 a month rent to stay in their home, when bankruptcy would have allowed them to keep their home and their Social Security payments.

Strickland is the owner of Strickland & Associates, an insurance brokerage company with offices in Royston and Lavonia.

He has been a Franklin County commissioner for the past four years.

This year, Strickland chose to run for the County Commission Chair seat and gave up his option to run for re-election for the District 1 Commission seat.

He lost the Commission Chair race to incumbent Thomas Bridges. Strickland’s term as Commissioner for District 1 ends December 31.

Strickland turned himself in to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning.

After he was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center, he was immediately released on a $10,000 bond.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas says investigators from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Athens Office, and the District Attorney’s Office have been working the investigation for over six months collecting evidence.

Thomas asks anyone with any additional information to come forward and report it to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

He says the investigation continues and he said more information is expected to be released at a later time.