Former Geneva County administrator seeks old job, apology

An attorney asked the Geneva County Commission on Monday to give her client’s job back as the county’s administrator, and apologize for unjustly terminating her from the position.

Laura Wyrosdick gave Geneva County commissioners a presentation at their meeting Monday on how they could restore her client, Donna Jones, in her position with the county.

Geneva County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Jones, 51, of Hartford, in March 2008, and charged her with a felony crime of using her position for personal gain. Some of the allegations included that Jones improperly received overtime pay. The charge is a class B felony, which carried a possible sentence of two to 20 years in prison. Jones was immediately fired after her arrest.

Geneva County District Attorney Kirke Adams dismissed the case against Jones in June 2009, saying all the time sheets in question were approved by the county commission and the state Board of Examiners. He said state auditors found no wrong doing by Jones.

“This matter is still open for resolution,” Wyrosdick said.

Wyrosdick told the commissioners her client wanted three things or there could be civil litigation filed against the county. She said her client seeks the restoration of her old job and back pay the county owes her. Wyrosdick also said Jones wants a public apology because she has been demeaned by the county.

“She’s owed money by this commission today,” Wyrosdick said. “She’s owed her job. According to the Alabama attorney general, since there was no evidence of wrong doing, the county is liable for her attorney fees.”

Wyrosdick said her client will contest her termination at an appeal hearing next month at the Geneva County Courthouse. She said her client was indicted without the county first getting an audit done to examine the county’s financial figures. The audit was done after she was arrested.

“This woman served this county for 28 years,” Wyrosdick said. “I’m disappointed for the citizens of this county. Through a hastily and not very well thought out investigative effort, they prosecuted and persecuted this woman publicly.”

Geneva County Probate Judge and Commission Chairman Fred Hamic said he hired Marietta Webster to serve as acting county administrator. He said she has filled that position for about a year.

The county commission took no action Monday on the request by Jones’ attorney.