FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Forsyth County’s incumbent sheriff is refusing to apologize for a controversial campaign flyer.
The ad, sent out by Sheriff Duane Piper’s camp, questions why his opponent, Ron Freeman, didn't fire a deputy who was involved in a sex scandal while under Freeman’s command in 2011.
The then-married deputy admitted to having sex multiple times with an 18-year-year-old girl while on the job. The deputy was given a demotion. The girl's actual complaint -- in her own handwriting -- is shown on the mailer being sent out to constituents in the county.
PHOTOS: Controversial campaign flyer
Controversial campaign flyer
Sheriff Piper makes no apologies for the graphic nature of the flier.
“The public has a right to know about something that disgusting,” Piper said.
When asked why he didn’t bring up the matter earlier in the campaign, Piper responded, “That I really can't answer other than he's running for sheriff and I think it's important that the public know.”
Freeman sees it as a dirty campaign trick and one without merit.
"It is the epitome of classic slimy politics," Freeman said. "Any idea that we didn't respond to it is ludicrious."
Freeman admits the deputy on the flier was under his command, and says that while he did write a memo recommending demotion, it came after his suggestion to fire the deputy was rejected by his superiors.
“My recommendation was termination and when that was turned down, my recommendation was demote him and move him,” Freeman said.
Freeman claims his intial request to fire the deputy was done in conversation, and that’s why it doesn't exist on paper. But Piper says it doesn't exist because it never happened.
"It's not a question of whether I believe him or not -- he's not telling the truth,” Piper said.
Freeman said that dragging up this unfortunate incident potentially re-injures the young woman on the flier and discourages others from filing complaints.
"This young lady when she filed that complaint didn't expect for this to be plastered all over the county five years later when she's trying to rebuild her life,” he said.
Piper counters by pointing to the current life of the deputy, who the 11Alive Investigators have confirmed is currently employed as an officer in good standing with the state.
"As a result, this particular officer is now working at the campus of Georgia State University around other 18-year-old girls,” said
Freeman says he hasn't kept tabs on the deputy's career and that the last-minute tactic can only mean one thing:
"I think he knows he's in trouble, I think he knows his campaign is in trouble,” Freeman said.
The voters will decide the truth of that May 24 when they elect their next sheriff.
