Remember my asshat Sheriff? It has taken a few years but....

[Norm357]

Former Clayton Sheriff Victor Hill indicted *| ajc.com

By Rhonda Cook


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill was indicted Wednesday for crimes he allegedly committed while in office.

Enlarge photo Channel 2 Action News Victor Hill in court, where he was indicted Wednesday for crimes he allegedly committed while he was sheriff of Clayton County.

Enlarge photo Channel 2 Action News Leaving the courtroom after the hearing Victor Hill yelled to Channel 2 Action News reporter Mark Winne, "I'm still running for sheriff."
Wearing a vivid blue suit, former Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill arrived at the Clayton County Courthouse where a grand jury indicted him Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, for crimes he allegedly committed while in office.

He was indicted on 37 counts, including racketeering. Bond was set at $50,000.

Hill says he still plans to run for the office he lost in 2008 to Sheriff Kem Kimbrough.

While grand jury proceedings are usually secret, Hill was allowed to sit in the proceedings and to talk to the panel because he was an elected law enforcement official.

Layla Zon, district attorney in the Alcovy Circuit, which includes Walton and Newton counties, was brought in as a special prosecutor to avoid any appearances of conflicts or political vendettas.

Hill has repeatedly said politics is behind the criminal case and that it only started after he announced he would be running for sheriff this year.

Kimbrough took issue with the allegation.

“It’s not political,” Kimbrough said. “It’s all about accountability and the integrity of the office we hold.”

Though Hill held public office long before he became sheriff in 2004, it wasn’t until he took the Clayton County office that he became so much a public figure that his name is still recognized even though he has been out of office since 2008. He ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature in 2010.

Hill fired 27 deputies upon taking office in 2005. They were reinstated a few days later, but he was sued for wrongful termination. It cost the county a $7 million settlement.

Hill also arrested the brother of his predecessor on charges of making harassing phone calls. A federal jury awarded Mark Tuggle $475,000 for being falsely arrested.

Hill also stopped coming to work after he lost re-election in 2008. Two days before his term ended, he filed for bankruptcy.

[chewy]

It's been forever... I figured he'd have retired by now!

Glad to hear he's getting his!!!

[oscarmitre]

I recall something about the grinding mills of justice grinding exceedingly slow, but exceedingly fine.

Anyone who fronts court in a vivid blue suit and who isn't Little Richard or Chuck Berry must be suspect!