The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed its agents visited Augusta this week as part of an investigation, but is not commenting on what exactly they are investigating.
FBI agents were seen entering the Finance Department on Monday, May 19.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson says he can’t confirm nor deny the visit, but that he heard from others that the agents were in the building.
“All I can say is that they didn’t meet with me, or ask to meet with me. If I comment, it would be pure speculation, but I can say I heard there was a visit,” Johnson said..
Sources who wish to remain unnamed say that questions were asked in regards to Department of Housing and Community Development Director Hawthorne Welcher, who is on administrative leave after it was discovered that somewhere around $6.5 million in American Rescue funds vanished from his department’s custody.
The missing money came to light after the Treasury Department contacted the Finance Department and demanded the money be returned after it was apparently not used for its intended purpose, which was for rental assistance during the Covid pandemic.
An audit is currently underway as Welcher remains on paid administrative leave.
The source also claims that questions were asked in reference to the Augusta Land Bank Authority’s recent lease agreement for the Weed School with WODA Cooper Development. After several days of rushed meetings, a lease agreement was signed on May 16.
As per agency policy, the FBI is not commenting on an active investigation.
