District Attorney Wright Barksdale, like many people around Baldwin County, wanted answers back in April after County Manager Carlos Tobar was fired and asked to 'gather his possessions' and 'exit the building.'
How did the county government manage to fall $5 million behind on SPLOST payments owed to the city government? Where did all the money go? Why did the county barely have enough money available to make payroll?
So, Barksdale requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which agreed to look into the matter. Many people around town assumed that the GBI investigation ultimately would provide clarity and answer questions about possible mismanagement and/or criminal wrongdoing.
More than four months later, however, the GBI finally released its report, and Barksdale seemed less than satisfied.
The Union-Recorder sat down with Barksdale for an interview late last week. Barksdale called the report 'incomplete,' adding that 'it raises more questions than answers.'
The GBI report was based on a handful of interviews, as opposed to a deep dive through the county government's financial records and expenditure reports, according to Barksdale. In turn, Barksdale said he's now reaching out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for assistance.