After two hours of negotiations, an agreement has been reached where the former maintenance director of the Floyd County Schools has agreed to forfeit property, including his residence, with the proceeds going to the Floyd County Board of Education.

Derry Richardson is accused of taking more than $600,000 from the school system, using the proceeds of the theft to purchase and furnish his Summerville residence, according to court documents. As part of the agreement reached Monday morning, he will give up the property.

The court-appointed receiver will determine how the property is disposed.

Major Mark Wallace of the Floyd County Police Department said when contacted by WRGA that the consent order will give the department the ability to dispose of the property seized from Richardson, which has taken up two storage facilities as well space at the police department.

The consent order with the details of the forfeiture is expected to be filed in Floyd County Superior Court later this week.

In April, Floyd County Board of Education officials announced that Richardson and four others resigned and that a criminal investigation into questionable purchasing practices was ongoing.

Seventeen other people were linked to the investigation including contractors and Richardson’s family members in May.  

Meanwhile, the criminal investigation is continuing, according to Wallace.

Two temporary staff members had be to be hired to help with the complex investigation, Wallace said.

Richardson has not been charged and was in the courtroom along with witnesses, who were anticipating a hearing before the agreement to the consent order was reached. 

(WRGA)