Grovetown mayor Gary Jones reaches settlement with city of Waynesboro
Over a year after the mayor of Grovetown filed a lawsuit against the City of Waynesboro, a $300,000 settlement recently was approved.
Mayor Gary Jones, who was an employee with the Waynesboro Police Department, alleged about $144,000 collected by the Waynesboro Municipal Court was missing and had not been deposited into the city's account.
Jones brought his concerns to police Chief Willie Burley and requested an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, according to previous reporting. Burley consulted with interim Mayor James Jones, city manager Valerie Kirkland and council members, who all refused.
Jones was fired by Burley on Oct. 20, 2021, with Burley stating Jones was the "sole source of misinformation" related to the missing funds, according to previous reporting.
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Settlement reached with Gary Jones
A settlement was recently reached with the city of Waynesboro issuing $300,000 to Jones and his attorneys.
Jones was issued $4,500 in back wages and $295,500 in compensatory damages, according to the settlement.
In addition, the city agreed to amend Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council records to reflect no involuntary termination from the police department, according to the settlement.
A covenant in the settlement also states Jones cannot seek employment with the city of Waynesboro in the future.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: City of Waynesboro signs $300,000 settlement in whistleblower lawsuit
