BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Financial turmoil and strained relations with local government have thrust the District Attorney’s Office of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit into the spotlight following a comprehensive grand jury investigation. The office, under the direction of District Attorney Keith Higgins, is currently mired in a significant financial dispute with Glynn County over unreimbursed payroll expenses amounting to around $936,000.
Since taking office four years ago, Higgins has seen the budget for his office, funded by five Georgia counties including Glynn and Camden, double compared to his predecessor’s tenure. Initially receiving $600,000 annually, the budget has surged to $1.3 million annually, reflecting increased demands and operational costs. The office pools resources from county governments, state funding, and various grants to manage its operations, which span the entire judicial circuit.
When negotiations for repaying the county fell through last summer, Glynn County Manager William Fallon announced the cessation of payroll services by September 2024. Fallon described the situation as unfair to the citizens of Glynn County who were bearing the fiscal responsibility for services extended beyond their own jurisdiction.
The manifest budgetary increases and ongoing financial management issues were highlighted in a recent grand jury term which described the funding structure of the District Attorney’s office as overly complex and prone to errors. The grand jury’s findings also pointed to a backlog of cases and staffing shortages that have led to high stress among employees and inefficient operations.
Despite the growing concerns over financial management, no county commission or administration members were interviewed by the grand jury, a point of contention noted by Fallon. He expressed concerns about potential bias since the District Attorney typically serves as an advisor to the grand jury. Subsequently, Higgins recused himself from the involvement in this civil probe on January 31, 2025.
Amidst this backdrop, the grand jury has called for the continuation of this investigation and urged both parties to strike a satisfactory deal to settle the financial discrepancies. Glynn County, in an effort to address these issues, has enlisted an independent auditor to scrutinize the financial dealings and operational procedures of the District Attorney’s office.
Adding to the district’s woes, Glynn County has had to appoint an additional attorney for juvenile court cases after the District Attorney’s office withdrew from this responsibility due to inadequate staffing last year.
The county is steadfast in its commitment to resolve these ongoing issues, seeking a deeper understanding of the office’s financial status through the audit which they hope will shed light on budget overruns and potentially streamline future operations.
Keith Higgins, meanwhile, has been focused on his official duties, including preparation for an upcoming murder trial, and has not provided comments regarding the financial scrutiny his office is facing.
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