Macon DA finds ‘no basis’ for criminal charges in City of Fort Valley credit card audit

FORT VALLEY, Ga. — The Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office will not be bringing any criminal charges against former Fort Valley City officials after a city credit card fraud investigation by the GBI found “no basis” for prosecution.

On Friday, July 31, Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney Anita Howard announced in a press release that she will not be pursuing charges after reviewing an audit of Fort Valley’s use of city-issued credit cards.

The GBI looked into allegations of fraudulent credit card usage by former Police Chief DJ Flores, former City Administrator Gary Lee, former Financial Director Eddie Mason and former Mayor Jeffery Lundy.

The city council fired both Lee and Flores in January. Flores was fired for alleged unauthorized spending and hiring, while Lee was fired for allegedly failing to oversee the budget and spending. 

According to the release, prosecutors say the GBI investigation was started over questioned purchases for hotels and food establishments, with additional purchases made at Best Buy and auto parts stores. 

According to the GBI’s review, those purchases were tied to the city’s budget for training, computer equipment, the fire department, and the Public Safety Firearms Complex. Investigators found no evidence that any city credit card was used for personal gain or for any transaction unrelated to city business.

“While this investigation ultimately did not reveal any basis for criminal charges, it did spotlight the need for city officials to develop policies and procedures that comply with best practices in government spending, bookkeeping, and accounting,” Howard said. “Such policies, with a focus on transparency, stewardship, and personal accountability, would promote greater fiscal responsibility in the use of taxpayer dollars and help increase the public’s trust in leadership and finance.”

In a letter sent to The Leader Tribune, Fort Valley Mayor Shakeena B. Reeves responded to DA Howard’s findings, stating that her administration “inherited significant financial challenges.”

“My administration inherited significant financial challenges, including outstanding audits and the need to strengthen financial reporting and oversight. Completing those audits and improving our financial processes are essential steps toward ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is properly authorized, documented, and accounted for.”

Mayor Reeves further stated that she and other city officials are working to be a government that is transparent, accountable, and committed to being good stewards of every taxpayer dollar.

“My responsibility as Mayor is to ensure that the City of Fort Valley operates with the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. The District Attorney’s statement should unite all of us in addressing the City’s ongoing need to strengthen compliance, accountability, and financial oversight. These are the taxpayers’ dollars, and we have a fiduciary responsibility to manage them conservatively, transparently, and in accordance with the highest standards and best practices of public finance,” Reeves said.