By BECKY CRISSMAN
becky.crissman@gaflnews.com
VIENNA — October trials will be set for one Vienna City official and six current and former Unadilla officials after each waived official arraignment and pled not guilty to the charges they each face.
Unadilla city councilmen, Tony Lester and Dexter Whittaker, along with former councilmen, Bobby West and Jeffrey Minor, former city administrator Ronnie Brand and former police chief Leonard Smith will stand trial on the charge of fiduciary theft by taking.
In addition, Lester, Whittaker, West and Minor face additional charges of violation of oath by public officer and violation of the Georgia Open Meetings Act and Whittaker and Smith face charges on conspiracy to fraud a political subdivision.
Expected to be at the arraignments was Edward DuBose, state director for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He had informed the Cordele Dispatch last week that his organization would be visibly present.
His absence raised questions as to whether or not the NAACP is still involved in the cases unfolding in Unadilla.
In a telephone interview with the Dispatch Monday, DuBose commented, “The Georgia State Conference of the NAACP is still in this 100%. We had to shift our focus temporarily due to the untimely death of our past president, Walter Butler.”
DuBose said the organization is still in support of all charges being dropped against those arraigned yesterday.
“This is nothing more than a witch hunt that has absolutely no merit. We will continue to push for the investigation of District Attorney Denise Fachini and her actions involving the indictments against these men.”
DuBose further commented that the NAACP will be holding a press conference in Dooly County some time in the very near future.
In Vienna, Mayor Pro Tem Eddie Daniels also waived his official arraignment and pled not guilty. He faces charges of insurance fraud, making false statements, and theft by deception.
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