A March 28 trial date has been set for the city commissioner indicted on federal charges last summer.
Sammie Sias of Augusta Commission District 4 has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He remains free on bond.
Sias was replaced on the city commission after his indictment, although he still draws his salary of $17,258, as does Alvin Mason who replaced Sias.
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against Sias last July that accuses him of destruction, altercation or falsification of records in a federal investigation and making false statements. The allegations center on digital files of the Sandridge Community Association in August 2019.
Allegations of misappropriation of funds for the Jamestown Community Center arose in 2019. The Sandridge Community Association contracted with the city of Augusta to operate the Jamestown center. Sias founded the Sandridge Community Association.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter with The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.