#GovernmentAccountability

June 20, 2026

Georgia Insurance Commissioner Opens Investigation Into State Patrol ‘PIT for Pay’ Scandal

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Georgia’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has opened an investigation into the Georgia State Patrol’s so-called “PIT for Pay” scandal involving former troopers who allegedly profited from insurance claims tied to crashes they caused during vehicle pursuits.

The investigation follows the firing of four Georgia State Patrol troopers who were found to have pursued personal injury settlements after performing PIT maneuvers, a law enforcement tactic used to stop fleeing vehicles by intentionally causing them to spin out.

According to records released during the investigation, three former troopers received nearly $100,000 in combined insurance settlements. A fourth trooper was fired for failing to report the practice and attempting to participate himself.

One case involved former Trooper Hunter Waters, who reportedly received a $25,000 insurance settlement following a pursuit-related crash involving a vehicle owned by Latesha Banks. Banks was not driving the vehicle and was not present when the crash occurred.

Banks says she later learned of the insurance claim and has since faced higher insurance premiums despite not being responsible for the incident. She is seeking to have the settlement money returned and her insurance costs reduced.

Internal investigations found that multiple former troopers referred pursuit-related crashes to an attorney and obtained settlements through insurance claims.

The four troopers involved were terminated for violating department policy and ethical standards. No criminal charges have been filed.

The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance continues to investigate the matter, while some insurance companies involved are reportedly reviewing their legal options.

June 11, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Audit Questions More Than $29,000 In Sales Tax Paid To Broadband Contractor

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Last week, Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen released the county government’s 2024 audit. The audit covers the final year that former Commissioner Blake Elsberry was in office and points to serious problems in the county’s bookkeeping and financial oversight.

June 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Audit Reveals Financial Control Issues, Documentation Problems in Chattooga County Operations

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A recently released audit of Chattooga County’s 2024 financial records identified deficiencies involving accounting procedures, procurement practices, internal controls, budgeting, and documentation. Major findings included more than $333,000 in ARPA-funded broadband project expenses that lacked sufficient supporting documentation, payments on road projects that exceeded approved bid amounts, missing procurement records, untimely bank reconciliations, and several departments exceeding approved budgets. Auditors also cited inadequate segregation of duties and training deficiencies. Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen said “We walked into this mess” when he took office and agreed with the audit findings and said corrective steps have already been implemented, including added accounting staff, stronger oversight, improved documentation requirements, better procurement procedures, regular budget reviews, and additional employee training. (See full story below).

March 16, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Former Commissioner Responds to Audit Concerns as County Works to Reconcile Finances

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Former Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry is responding to recent online discussions about findings from the ongoing 2024 audit of Chattooga County finances, offering context about accounting discrepancies identified during that time.

February 9, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Elsberry Responds to Questions About Zentell Communications, Says He Was Not Paid and Has Been Cleared of Wrongdoing

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Blake Elsberry, a candidate for Georgia State Senate District 53 and former Chattooga County Sole Commissioner, has released a public response addressing questions surrounding his past involvement with Zentell Communications.