Tuesday, July 23, 2019

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT)-- District 4 Commissioner Sammie Sias is facing some serious allegations after he fired a longtime employee from a local community center he manages.

Sias is accused of sexual misconduct, pocketing $10,000 of SPLOST funds, and mistreating children at the Jamestown Community Center -- a center he's been long criticized for managing while he's a commissioner.

Some argued it was inappropriate for an elected official to be in charge of day-to-day operations of a community center, but the recent accusations stem from a 12-year employee being fired from the center's summer camp program.

The employee was fired on Monday. We received copy of the memorandum which terminated her employment. Sias' note says she gave extreme punishments, long writing assignments, failed to assist children who had no lunch, used condescending language and behavior towards students, and grabbed a student by the collar.

In a Tuesday letter to the city, the employee said those claims were "lies" then she offered her own claims against the District 4 leader. She alleged use of pornography in the office, sexual misconduct with co-workers, and taking money over his two terms as commissioner. Adding, Sias allegedly punished kids by taking them out back and making them run in dangerous temperatures, and used a paddle on the students.

The former employee wrote that she was only fired because she filed a complaint with DFACS against Sias.

We reached out to Commissioner Sias who says "the allegations are absolutely untrue." Adding, he will consult with his lawyer and get back with us on Wednesday.

Some of his colleagues are now calling for an investigation. Right now, the city has not confirmed it has opened one.

We'll let you know when we find out more.