No Charges After GBI Investigation Into Fort Valley City Credit Card Spending

FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita R. Howard announced that no criminal charges will be filed following a Georgia Bureau of Investigation inquiry into allegations of fraudulent use of City of Fort Valley credit cards.

Howard said the GBI’s investigation found no evidence of fraud or that city-issued credit cards were used for personal gain.

Following a review of the GBI’s findings, Howard sent a letter confirming her decision not to pursue charges to Fort Valley Mayor Shakeena B. Reeves, the GBI and City Administrator LeMario Brown.

The investigation focused on allegations involving the use of city credit cards and included an extensive examination of Fort Valley’s banking records.

Investigators specifically reviewed accounts associated with four former city officials: former Police Chief Dennis Flores, former City Administrator Gary Lee, former Financial Director Eddie Mason and former Mayor Jeffery Lundy.

Purchases Tied to City Business, Investigation Finds

According to the District Attorney’s Office, the mayor and each member of the Fort Valley City Council operate under an annual training budget of $10,000.

Many of the transactions questioned during the investigation involved hotels and restaurants. Other purchases were made at Best Buy and auto parts stores.

The GBI determined those purchases were connected to legitimate city expenditures, including training, computer equipment, fire department needs and the city’s Public Safety Firearms Complex.

Investigators found no evidence that city credit cards were used for personal benefit or for transactions unrelated to official city business.

While Howard determined there was no basis for criminal prosecution, she said the investigation highlighted areas where the city could improve its financial procedures.

“While this investigation ultimately did not reveal any basis for criminal charges, it did spotlight the need for city officials to develop policies and procedures that comply with best practices in government spending, bookkeeping, and accounting,” Howard said.

She said stronger policies emphasizing transparency, stewardship and personal accountability could improve fiscal responsibility and increase public confidence in how taxpayer money is managed.

The District Attorney’s Office thanked the GBI for its work on the investigation.