Governor Appoints Committee to review RC Oglesby indictment

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR

A special committee appointed by Governor Brian Kemp is studying whether Hart County Commissioner R.C. Oglesby should be removed from office.

In an executive order issued August 20, the Governor appointed a three-member committee to look into whether the indictment against Oglesby is enough to remove him from his Commission seat.

Kemp has appointed Attorney General Chris Carr, Commissioner of Georgetown-Quitman County Carvel Lewis, and Commissioner Doug Duncan of Columbia County to review the indictment against Oglesby and determine whether it adversely affects the administration of the office of Hart County Commissioner for District 1.

The Committee has 14 days from August 20 to provide the Governor with a written report of their findings and recommendation. From there, Kemp will decide whether to remove Oglesby or allow him to stay in office.

If the Governor decides the public interest has been adversely affected by Oglesby’s indictment, he could remove him and would appoint someone in his place to serve out his unexpired term, which runs through December 31 and a special election would have to be held.

In February, a Hart County Grand Jury indicted Oglesby, his son Steven, and three other family members on 45 counts of violating the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and other crimes.

The indictment charges R.C. Oglesby with 13 counts of theft by shoplifting, alleging he stole items on numerous confirmed occasions from the Walmart in Hart County.

Most of the items the indictment said were stolen were food products, such as cases of Little Debbie oatmeal cakes, packages of bacon and sausage, bottles of water, soft drinks, and energy drinks, as well as canned goods and were used to supply Ludi’s Diner, which has since closed.

Oglesby, who has been a County Commissioner since 1989, denies the charges and voluntarily stepped down from his office after being indicted, but is running as an independent to win his District 1 seat back.

Also running as an independent for the Hart County Commission District 1 seat in November is James Herman Fulghum. He and Oglesby will run in the general election in November against Republican Michael Bennett and Democrat David Cook.

An indictment does not prevent Oglesby from running for re-election. If he is convicted of the crimes listed in the indictment, the Governor will remove him from office and appoint someone to fill the seat.

However, Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton earlier this month again extended the Statewide Judicial Emergency Order until September 10 that keeps the court system closed. So, no trials can take place until that order is lifted.