Indicted Snellville Mayor Suspends Self From Office

SNELLVILLE, GA — Snellville Mayor Tom Witts, who has been indicted on 66 charges of tax evasion and theft, has voluntarily suspended himself from office while he faces the charges against him.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Witts was not present at a city council meeting Monday night — the council's first meeting since Witts was indicted earlier this month. City Attorney Tony Powell read a statement on his behalf.

"I am sorry I am unable to be with you tonight, but I will look forward to being with you again as soon as I can deal with the charges that have been asserted against me," the statement said, according to the paper.

Witts maintained his innocence in the statement, the AJC reported.

A grand jury indicted Witts on Sept. 7. Of the 66 charges, which came after years of investigation by the Gwinnett County District Attorney's office, 65 are felonies. The lone misdemeanor indictment involves charges that Witt used 2015 campaign funds on a pornography website.

He is charged with tax evasion, lying on official documents, improperly allowing his business to perform work for the city and using campaign funds for personal expenses, including vacations. (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter had confirmed last April that Witts was under investigation and that his home and business were raided by Georgia Bureau of Investigation officers last March. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and state Department of Revenue were reportedly part of the investigation of Witts.

Witts' taxes became an issue during the mayoral election in 2015. He said at the time he had taken money from a 401k account to pay back taxes and penalties he owed.

A native of Simpson, Pennsylvania, Witts is a U.S. Navy veteran and CEO of Georgia Property Restoration.
He served on Snellville's city council from 2009 until last year, when he resigned to run for mayor.

On Sept. 14, Witts turned himself in at Gwinnett County Jail. He was released on a $20,000 signature bond. A signature bond means he did not have to pay up front, but could be charged that amount if he fails to show for a court appearance.

To read the AJC's report, click here.

Photo via Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office