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

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.

Suspect in State Line Tavern Armed Robbery Now in Custody

A man wanted in connection with an armed robbery at the State Line Tavern in Floyd County near the Georgia-Alabama state line is now in custody.

According to an arrest warrant, 23-year-old Alric Gabriel Crawford of Centre, Alabama, entered the business on December 28 armed with a gun and demanded money from the clerk.

Authorities say Crawford took around $3,000 during the robbery.

Crawford is now being held in the Floyd County Jail without bond and is charged with armed robbery.

A second suspect, 23-year-old Jeffrey Lemar Smith of Gadsden, was arrested shortly after the robbery. Authorities say Smith was found hiding in a dumpster off West Main Street near Watson Drive in Centre.

The case remains under investigation.

Arrest Report – Monday – March 9, 2026

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, March 9, 2026:

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GBI Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Catoosa County Involving East Ridge Police

At the request of the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Catoosa County, Georgia, involving officers from the East Ridge (Tennessee) Police Department. Authorities say no one was injured during the incident.

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Former DeKalb County Reserve Deputy Sentenced to 12 Years After Pleading Guilty to Sodomy

A former DeKalb County, Alabama, reserve deputy has been sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to a felony sodomy charge connected to a 2024 investigation. Joshua Wells, who once served part-time with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, will spend 12 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections.

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Arrest Report – Saturday – November 22, 2025

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Saturday, November 22, 2025:

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