Governor suspends Don Hawbaker from office as Spalding County commissioner

STAFF REPORT :::

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has suspended from office Spalding County Commissioner Don Hawbaker.

An executive order announcing Hawbaker’s suspension was issued Wednesday.

Hawbaker was indicted on Oct. 29 indicted on one count of aggravated assault under the Georgia Family Violence Act, five counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Kemp received the indictment Nov. 4 and on Dec. 7, appointed members to a review commission to determine whether the indictment “…relates to and adversely affects the administration of the office of commissioner such that the rights and interests of the public are adversely affected…”

The review commission, which was comprised of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, White County Commissioner Terry Goodger and Lamar County Commissioner Nancy Thrash, on Dec. 18 issued its report finding Hawbaker’s indictment does adversely affect the administration of the office of commissioner and the rights and interests of the public and recommended he be suspended from office.

Hawbaker’s suspension is effective immediately and will continue until his criminal case has been adjudicated or his term of office expires.

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