Augusta Commissioner Sammie Lee Sias has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of destroying records in a federal investigation and lying to federal investigators researching the case.
While the indictments were filed by the federal court on Wednesday, Sias has not been arrested or arraigned on the charges. That will come at a future date. Sias, 66, of Hephzibah, serves as District 4 commissioner on the Augusta Commission.
MORE: Sias Investigation Continues
The indictment alleges that on or about Aug. 5, 2019, Sias “did knowingly alter, destroy, mutilate, conceal and coverup records, documents and other objects, to wit, digital files belonging to Sandridge Community Association (SCA), which included invoices, spreadsheets, work orders, payments, agendas, minutes, financial reports and other documentation of Jamestown Community Center (Jamestown), Jamestown Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), SCA Board of Directors, SCA Summer Camp, with the intent to impede, obstruct and influence the investigation and proper administration of a federal criminal grand jury investigation.”
Count Two alleges that on or about Aug. 9, 2019, Sias “did willfully and knowingly make a materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statement and representation in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice, an agency of the United States,” when Sias told an FBI special agent that he had provided all electronic and paper files in his possession related to the investigation.
The charges carry a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison.
Greg Rickabaugh is the Jail Report Contributor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at greg.rickabaugh@theaugustapress.com.
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