Augusta, GA

Former federal employee pleads guilty to mishandling classified materials

Published

2 months ago

October 24, 2024

Former federal employee pleads guilty to mishandling classified materials

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A former employee of a U.S. Department of Defense component agency pleaded guilty to mishandling sensitive documents and faces up to five years in federal prison.

Margaret Anne Ashby, 26, of Nevada, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to an information charging her with unauthorized removal/retention of classified documents, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

The guilty plea subjects Ashby to a sentence of up to five years in federal prison, substantial financial penalties, and up to three years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive government documents is essential to protecting our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Those granted the privilege of working with such material are well aware of the rules regarding the safekeeping of these documents, and also are aware of the consequences for failing to comply with those rules.”

As described in the plea agreement, starting in March 2020, Ashby was a civilian employee of a Department of Defense component agency located in the Southern District of Georgia, and during this time held a Top Secret security clearance as required for her employment.

From Left: 22-year-old Savion Walker and 42-year-old Montrako Bradley

From February 2022 to May 2022, Ashby, without authority, knowingly removed documents and materials containing classified information “concerning the national defense or foreign relations of the United States . . . with the intent to retain them at unauthorized locations, including her residence in the Southern District of Georgia and in digital files saved via a personal computing device located in the Southern District of Georgia.”

U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule a sentencing hearing for Ashby upon completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.

“When people violate the trust given to them to safeguard our nation’s intelligence, they put our country at risk,” said FBI Atlanta Assistant Agent in Charge Brian Ozden. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will seek to hold accountable those who knowingly and willfully mishandle classified information.”

The case was investigated by the FBI, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys L. Alexander Hamner and Darron J. Hubbard, and Trial Attorney David J. Ryan with the U.S. Department of Justice Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

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Augusta, GA

Dolphins WRs Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill ailing for 49ers’ clash

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2024

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Dolphins WRs Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill ailing for 49ers’ clash | Nfl | wfxg.com

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Augusta, GA

Community foundation enters new phase of disaster grant process

Published

12 hours ago

December 20, 2024

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Community foundation enters new phase of disaster grant process

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Community Foundation for the CSRA is pleased says it’s entering a new phase of its Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund granting process.

Since the storm’s aftermath, the Foundation has granted $2,803,500 to nonprofits that have worked on the front lines providing critical services and administering aid.

This phase of granting will continue to fund in 20 counties, in both Georgia and South Carolina, that were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

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The foundation will expand its granting parameters to include not just 501(c)3 nonprofits, but also churches, civic organizations, and schools who have been or will be providing direct services to Helene impacted individuals.

Shell Berry, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for the central Savannah River Area, said:

The foundation has developed five grant categories: Relief Reimbursement, Lost Revenue, Increased Operating Costs, Infrastructure Needs for Public Lands, and Long-term Recovery Programming. These categories aim to provide comprehensive support for affected communities and organizations.

The foundation has also recruited a volunteer grant panel that is made up of individuals who represent many of the counties we fund.

Working with the staff of the foundation, this volunteer panel will ensure that funding decisions reflect the needs and perspective of the communities we serve.

Their insights will be invaluable in evaluating applications and making final funding decisions.

For more information about this new granting process, please visit the Community Foundation’s website, ww.cfcsra.org. To contribute to the Hurricane Helene Community Crisis Fund, visit www.cfcsra.org.

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Augusta, GA

Time is running out to donate to the Red Kettle Campaign

Published

20 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Press Room

Time is running out to donate to the Red Kettle Campaign

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army is seeking the community’s help in reaching its $235,000 goal for this year’s Red Kettle Campaign.

With just a few days left of bell ringing, the Salvation Army of Augusta is $50,000 short of its goal.

The Salvation Army says the final days are crucial to closing the gap.

Funds raised through the campaign are essential to supporting programs that serve the community year-round, including the Center of Hope. An average of 80 individuals find shelter nightly and 200 meals are served daily at the Center of Hope.

“The Red Kettle Campaign is vital to our ability to help those in need throughout the year,” said Area Commander of the Salvation Army of Augusta Jonathan Raymer.

The Salvation Army urges everyone to stop by a red kettle location or donate online. Every contribution fuels the organization’s ability to provide shelter, meals, and hope to individuals and families in need.

“We are calling on our community to help us bridge the gap in these final days. Together, we can make a difference for those who rely on our services,” said Raymer.

Red Kettles can be found at Bass Pro, Belk, Food Lion, Hobby Lobby, Kroger, Sam’s Club and Walmart locations in Augusta, Evans, Grovetown, Hephzibah, North Augusta, Thomson and Waynesboro.

Donations can also be made online at donateaugusta.com.

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