Cobb County Juvenile Court investigated in grant fraud

Case in early stages; nonprofit chief’s property searched.

Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds said his office is investigating possible misappropriation of grant money in Cobb Juvenile Court.

Reynolds stressed that the investigation is in preliminary stages. “We don’t know if it will turn into anything criminal,” he told the Marietta Daily Journal. “Hopefully for the court system, it won’t. But if it does, then we’ll make that call at the appropriate time. And if it does, we’ll file the appropriate charges.”

Search warrants have been served, but Reynolds said no arrest warrants have been sought. While Reynolds named no names, Juvenile Court Program Administrator Mea Fagiola has been placed on administrative leave.

Her attorney, Ken Hodges, says Fagiola has been fully cooperating with investigators. “She answered every single question they asked her,” he told the paper. “She has committed no crimes whatsoever.”

Hodges says Fagiola was asked about Reconnecting Families, a Marietta nonprofit. In a prepared statement, the organization said its books are audited regularly and open for inspection.

A spokesman for the nonprofit acknowledged that the property of executive director Debbie Ponder was searched based on a sealed search warrant. Ponder had no comment on the investigation.