JONESBORO, Ga. — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has wrapped up its investigation into criminal allegations against the mayor of Jonesboro. The Clayton County District Attorney’s Office issued a letter saying they won’t seek charges in the case.
Now, some community leaders are calling for the city to come together and get back to doing the people’s work. The allegations included assault, intimidation and quid pro quo.
The rumblings of alleged wrongdoing concerning Mayor Donya Sartor were first brought to light back in September. In a letter from Monday, the chief Investigator with the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office said the case won’t move forward.
Two Jonesboro police officers accused Sartor of violating the law.
One claimed the mayor pointed a handgun at him while they were alone in her office. Another reserve officer said the mayor offered him a job in exchange for donations to her re-election campaign.
Voters elected Sartor as the town’s first Black mayor in March. She was re-elected in November for a full term. Sartor called the allegations against her racially motivated.
“I am the first African American to sit in this seat. I do believe a lot of this has is connected to me being the first African American in this situation,” Sartor said in an interview with 11Alive back in September.
Community activist Timothy Vondell said Sartor has had a target on her back since she took office, leading to the allegations.
“The powers that be are trying to maintain power, has literally wasted over $200,000 of taxpayer money,” said Vondell.
Vondell is referring to the cost of a city council ordered investigation into the allegations. Sartor confirmed the investigation’s price tag.
The city investigation found Sartor violated city policies and ethics, but the GBI investigation found no criminal wrongdoing. Based on the GBI’s investigation, prosecutors determined the mayor’s handling of the gun showed a “lack of judgement and firearm safety” but no criminal intent.
Vondell hopes the finding will put an end to all the discord.
“We’re praying that this situation will touch everybody’s hearts and we can come together finally,” said Vondell.
11Alive reached out to the two men who made the allegations. One of them declined an interview request. The other didn't respond.