GBI wraps up August missing funds investigation

Browning to review investigation before filing charges

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation turned over a report last week to Tallapoosa Circuit District Attorney Jack Browning involving a late August incident involving missing money at a death scene.

Browning said the GBI brought the results of the investigation to him on Nov. 14 following more than 2 months of work.

He was not yet releasing any details as to what happened in the case, and that it will be under review for the time being by his office.

“The GBI’s investigation is considered complete, and has been turned over to my office. That’s not to say that after reviewing it I might not ask them to do some additional work on the investigation,” he said.

He added that “I will be reviewing it over the next few weeks and then we’ll make a determina- tion from there as to the appropriate action that needs to be taken.”

Browning did not provide an immediate timeline to when, if any, charges might be filed.

The case involving missing money at the scene of a death investigation in Polk County was initiated back in August following a report to Police Chief Kenny Dodd about the missing funds.

Former Polk County coroner Trey Litesey resigned in September amid the GBI’s look into the incident.

Dodd said one of his officers reported the incident to him, and that he proceeded to contact the GBI to take over as soon as it happened.

Dodd said Litesey was being investigated along with police officers, emergency medical personnel and firefighters who responded to the call.

The Standard Journal filed an open record’s request following the news from Browning’s office, but as of press time Monday afternoon had not yet received a response from the GBI.