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Activist wants copy of audiotape seized in probe of alleged bribery By Colby Jones Staff Writer The day after GBI agents searched his home in connection with a bribery investigation, Forsyth County political activist David Milum fired off e-mails to the deputy executive counsel to Gov. Sonny Perdue. In Thursday e-mails to Robert S. Highsmith Jr. that the political activist later posted on his Web site, Milum requests copies of taped recordings between himself and members of Perdue’s staff. He made the request pursuant to the state's open records law. "Mr. Highsmith, with all due respect, you guys will have to show your cards very soon, as you know, and I do not envy that. How will an informed public react when you throw down measly a low pair," Milum states in one of the emails. In a brief response. Highsmith informs Milum the records are exempt from disclosure because they relate to an active criminal Two face charges after deputies find steroids By Colby Jones Staff Writer An early morning traffic stop on Ga. 400 Thursday net ted what a senior law enforce ment official described as a "significant amount” of steroids. Deputies confiscated ana bolic steroids, four vials in liq uid form and 200 pills, said Maj. Gene Moss with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. “It appears it was more than for recreational use." Moss said of the seizure. Lewis Matthew McKinney. 30, of Dacula was charged with possession of anabolic steroids, driving under the influence of drugs and driving with no tag. Sgt. Scotty Spriggs stopped a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by McKinney at 1 a.m. pmW optimum performance machines Serriny Forsyth fount} for nine years of Cumming & Spring Accessories Fair <3 Saturday, March 20th 10am-4pm -A 4 Brighton -A 4 Spring Carnival J a Attend our seminars and play fun games for the chance to win great )Q prizes. Seminars will be held next door \q to the Cumming store at 10:30am and 1:00pm. A Come see the 2004 Spring Line: 4 W Handbags - Sunglasses - Jewelry 4 w 1 4 Tennis Bags - Backpacks - Beits * \ And More! Vera Bradley Spring has Sprung in the Limited Edition s Vera Bradley Collection. t The new spring colors are fabulous!!! r . (P Emily Ray Y Distinctive Jewelry 1 < Come meet Emily Ray at Parsons of A | •*1 Cumming from 11am - 2pm. ’*■ _ Carnival Games - Great Prizes - mJ Refreshments - Fun! *] (8 Gumnw 770-887-9991 (O V Lakeland Plaza i Wi M-F 10-7 \ (QJ GA4(X) Exit 14 Sat 10-6 Zi ** Zl investigation. In a subsequent posting to fol lowers on his Web site, Milum accuses the governor's office of playing dirty politics by launching the bribery investigation. "I believe all of you can see that the Governor's Office is in full retaliation mode as they are refus ing me access to the very evidence they say constitutes briber}' on my part,” Milum states. “The Forsyth County Citizen's Oversight Committee unintentionally embar rassed the governor of this state and his minister son and now they seek their revenge by the illegal use of the Georgia Bureau of Investi gation." Agents with the GBI seized items "useful in the investigation" on Wednesday from Milum's home in north Forsyth County, said GBI spokesman John Bankhead. The bribery investigation stems from telephone calls Milum made to a senior member on Perdue’s staff in which the political activist reportedly offered to withdraw an on Ga. 400 near Hwy. 141 in south Forsyth County. A passenger in the vehicle. Courtney Steven Turner, 30, was charged with possession of steroids. He faces an additional charge for violating his proba tion in DeKalb County. Law enforcement officials did not release what they believed the pair planned to do with the steroids or where they were traveling at the time of the traffic stop. An investigation into the case is ongoing. Moss said. According to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, effects associated with anabolic steroid abuse range from acne and breast development in men to increased irritability and aggression. It also has been linked to liver cancer, heart attacks, and high cholesterol. ethics complaint he filed against the governor. In return, Milum wanted the state to return children to a Lamar County woman in a child custody battle, Bankhead said. Milum is a member of the Forsyth County Citizen’s Oversight Committee and has criticized the state’s treatment of the Lamar County woman on his Web site. No charges have been filed in connection with the bribery investi gation. Any criminal charges would be prosecuted by the office of Attorney General Thurbert Baker because the case involves state per sonnel, Baker spokesman Russ Willard said Friday. Meanwhile, Milum said that a report in Friday’s Forsyth County News indicating that he had a tape recording of his conversations with the governor’s staff was incorrect. He said that he did believe the con versations were recorded in the governor’s office, however, he stat ed that he did not have such a recording. verftonw/re/ess We never stop working for you* INTRODUCING the new © thing. f l I ra $ 49” $99 99 regular price - SSO mail-in rebate = $49.99 With new 2-yr agreement While supplies last ■| I /T Ky 5E47 • Unique, sleek, sliding design Ji I I |p 1 • Voice-activated dialing I 10*3011 ’ Down l° a d 9 ames ' rin 9 tones & more I ■ I -Speakerphone (4 /'"r.'A / 6) 1 Are you®? 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See sales representative and brochure for details. ©2004 Verizon Wireless Wrong turn "Z7 "-WShSHKHHHHKnS < IFib JR- R - 5 "’z Mill' Hh 5 L T ■ ■ Wr s BrW’ Ki •irlml ’’ |Qh.- ,* : Photo/Audra Perry James Cook, left, Mark Aycock, center, and Kevin Wells of the Forsyth County Fire Department dive team prepare to enter the water at Lanier Beach South on Wednesday afternoon. A boater on the lake reported seeing a vehicle in the water. Divers later located an unoccupied car beneath the surface. FORSYTH COUNTY NEWS - Sunday, March 14,2004 - PAGE 3A