Augusta, GA
Augusta requests more details before releasing housing audit results
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta officials said a preliminary response related to an audit of the Housing and Community Development Department was received Tuesday, Jan. 27, from Cherry Bekaert.
The audit report is not yet complete, according to the city.
After initial review, the city has requested additional information to “ensure clarity and accuracy before the process moves forward.”
Hundreds of internal emails obtained exclusively by News 12 reveal how Augusta-Richmond County’s Housing and Community Development Department improperly used $5.4 million in federal Emergency Rental Assistance funds, triggering a federal investigation and U.S. Treasury penalties that have cost taxpayers millions more.
The extensive email correspondence obtained by News 12 through public records requests provides an unprecedented look inside the ongoing investigation, revealing communications between city officials, Cherry Bekaert auditors, and federal oversight agencies as the scope of financial irregularities became clear.
Treasury Demands Repayment with Penalties
According to meeting records from August 2025, the Housing and Community Development Department received $12 million in ERA1 funding. When the grant term ended on Dec. 31, 2022, the department had $5.4 million remaining unspent.
When expected HUD funding was delayed in 2024, the department decided to “borrow” against the $5.4 million sitting in its bank account and use the funds to “maintain current operations,” according to audit documents.
In November 2024, the U.S. Treasury sent a demand letter to Augusta requiring repayment of the unexpended $5.4 million from ERA1, plus a 30% penalty for failing to return the balance on time.
When HUD funds were finally awarded in 2024, they were insufficient to cover the borrowed amount. Because the city lacked sufficient cash on hand, the Treasury reclaimed $1.4 million from the city’s ERA2 grant, with Augusta covering the remaining repayment from other fund sources.
Audit Expands to Multiple Areas
The investigation has expanded beyond the ERA funding issue to include:
- Subrecipient monitoring and review of ERA1 funding to United Way
- CDBG contractor procurement and oversight review
- Cash reconciliation across multiple federal grant programs
Arnold Pierce, the department’s Fiscal Officer, has been working with auditors to provide extensive documentation, including bank statements, check registers, and general ledger details spanning fiscal years 2021-2024.
Audit Timeline and Challenges
The audit has faced multiple delays and budget increases. In December 2025, Cherry Bekaert requested a budget increase of approximately $74,700 to complete the expanded scope of work, citing the project’s evolution into a forensic accounting investigation.
Administrator Allen had pressed for completion of the audit, scheduling a presentation to the governing body for January 13, 2026. The audit was required to address:
- Proof of cash reconciliation
- Confirmation of funds used to purchase the Weed School
- Explanation of gap funding usage and eligibility
Allen said the city “remains committed to transparency and will provide further updates once the requested information is received and the audit is finalized.”
The Housing and Community Development Department’s mission statement emphasizes creating “positive change by promoting self-sufficiency through partnership in Economic Development, Quality Housing, and Neighborhood Reinvestment.”
In November, Augusta Commission members held a budget workshop session with much discussion about the Housing and Community Development Department.
That’s the department that left the city on the hook to pay back millions in federal grant money.
The city received more than $6 million in grant money during the COVID-19 pandemic, supposedly to help people who were in danger of eviction.
The city never spent the money for that purpose, so the government demanded it back.
The department didn’t have the money on hand, so the city had to repay it, and then some, from the general fund — $6.3 million of the original grant money and $2.1 million in penalties.
The scandal led to the exit of Housing and Community Director Hawthorne Welcher and sparked an audit of the department.
On Oct. 28, commissioners in closed executive session approved the payment of up to $32,237.32 from contingency funds for rental assistance previously approved by the Housing and Community Development Department.
This means leaders agreed to take the money from their emergency fund and use it to help people with their rent as part of a program the department had already put in place.
Mayor Garnett Johnson said at the time, this was an effort to address letters that were sent out, falsely leading people to believe they were getting some emergency funds.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Two Augusta-area Walmarts are among 13 Georgia locations that the retail giant plans to remodel and modernize in 2026.
In the past five years, the company said it has spent $961.5 million to upgrade its stores statewide.
Now, the company plans to change store layouts and services in its Augusta and Grovetown locations to make shopping faster and more convenient.
The locations are the Augusta Walmart Supercenter at 3338 Wrightsboro Road, near Augusta Mall, and the Grovetown Walmart Neighborhood Market at 5303-A Wrightsboro Road, where Wrightsboro and Harlem-Grovetown roads meet.
The Augusta location has been undergoing renovations since last fall.
The stores, when completely renovated, will include updated pharmacies offering vaccines, free delivery and clinical services such as basic health screenings and same-day testing for strep, the flu and COVID-19. Vision Centers also will be redesigned for improved privacy.
Also, computer apps will help customers better navigate stores, scan products’ prices and find exclusive app-only shopping deals.
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Sunday, April 19, 2026. Mr. James Byron Duncan, 80, was the loving husband of Estelle Mulherin Duncan as well as devoted father, doting grandfather, and lifelong friend to many.
Byron was born and raised in Augusta, GA, the son of W.B. and Kathleen Duncan. After graduating from Butler High School in 1965, Byron’s kind heart called him into Social Work. He earned his Bachelor of Sociology from Augusta College in 1969. After 34 years of dedicated service to the State of Georgia, Byron retired in 2003 as Director of Jefferson County Family and Children Services. He devoted his life wholeheartedly to both service to others and dedication to his family, working in the tough field of social work while remaining a fiercely loving, spirited and unwaveringly passionate man.
His deepest commitments were to his wife, children, granddaughters, siblings, church, the Knights of Columbus and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Byron was deeply rooted in his faith and community. He was an active member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, where he had served as an usher, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and finance committee member. He was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, Patrick Walsh Council 677 and Assembly 174, the Irish American Heritage Society and the Rotary Club of Louisville, GA. A true Georgia Bulldog at heart, Byron never missed an opportunity to cheer for his Dawgs, whether they were playing football, basketball, baseball or any other sport. He loved the simple joys of life – days at the beach, Jimmy Buffett, beach music and shagging, and a house full of family and friends. For many years, Byron delighted young and old alike by donning the red suit and playing Santa Claus at various events as well as visiting the classrooms at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School as St. Nicholas.
Byron possessed the gift of gab! He never met a stranger and could often be observed enthusiastically carrying on a deep conversation with old friends or a stranger he just met on the street. No conversation with him was brief!
Family meant everything to him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Estelle Mulherin Duncan; his children Sean M. Duncan (Jennifer), Matthew M. Duncan and Megan E. Duncan; his bonus daughter, Allison Crow (Joe), and his treasured grandchildren Riley, Emma and Harper Duncan, who brought him endless joy. He is also survived by his brother Keith Duncan; sisters Sheryl Werrick and Marcia Golden; brothers-in-law Dr. Joe Mulherin, Robert Gibson and Tom King; sister-in-law Janet M. Gibson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Ross as celebrant. Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park. A Rosary service will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 P.M., followed by visitation from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son.
Memorial contributions may be made to Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 or St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 for the Our Faith Our Future Capital Campaign.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at thomaspoteet.com
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Georgia Gubernational candidate Geoff Duncan made another appearance in Augusta on Monday, speaking at the IBEW Local 1579 on Reynolds Street.
Duncan is one of the three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Duncan said when he served as lieutenant governor of the state, he fought to expand access to health care in rural communities. He said if he’s elected, he’ll focus on lowering costs in other areas.
Duncan stopped by NewsChannel 6 ahead of the campaign stop to speak about his plans.
“Look, 90% of Georgians know what they’re talking about when they want to pass commonsense gun legislation like universal background checks, red flag laws, and in-home safe storage laws. As governor, I want to lead the charge, and I want to give political cover to those Republicans that want to do the right thing, build those consensus around those bills,” Duncan said. “I hope to get some of them the cosign that legislation. Because it meets people where they’re at. It’s common sense. Look, I don’t want anybody to ever walk by a television screen and make another excuse for a mass shooting when it could have been stopped. With just common sense laws that are on the books.”
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
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