Augusta, GA
FBI has been ‘conducting law enforcement activities’ at Augusta city offices
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The FBI confirms that it’s been at the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building this week.
The agency said special agents have been at the building “conducting law enforcement activities.”
The FBI isn’t saying what that law enforcement operation might be.
We do know, however, that the city has caught the federal government’s attention in recent weeks after more than $6 million in grant money wasn’t repaid in a timely manner after it wasn’t spent, as required by law.
The money was meant to fund COVID-era programs to help people in need avoid eviction.
However, when it wasn’t used, the federal government said it wanted the money back from the Housing and Community Development Department.
It was months before the city’s top brass learned of the problem, and ultimately the money was paid back from its funds.
But not before Housing and Community Development Director Hawthorne Welcher was suspended.
City officials also decided to conduct an audit of the department.
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