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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.

January 26, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Sheriff: Deputy Saw No Impairment After First Crash, Second Collision Minutes Later Led to DUI Arrest

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Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader released a statement to local media explaining the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Billy Joe Dooley following a crash Friday evening that resulted in DUI charges.

April 2, 2025

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga County Deputy Involved in Accident While Responding to Cardiac Arrest Call

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A Chattooga County Sheriff’s Deputy was involved in a single-vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon while en route to a cardiac arrest call. According to Sheriff Mark Schrader, Deputy Ben Mollohan was responding with emergency lights and sirens traveling southbound on Highway 100 just before the Four Mile Curve when the incident occurred. “As Deputy Mollohan crested the hill, a truck, reacting to the emergency lights, immediately stopped in the roadway,” Sheriff Schrader stated. To avoid colliding with the stopped vehicle, Deputy Mollohan took evasive action, steering the patrol car into a large ditch adjacent to the highway. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Sheriff Schrader confirmed that the only property damage sustained was to the patrol vehicle itself. No other vehicles or property were damaged in the incident. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) responded to the scene and conducted the accident investigation.