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? egion Roundup Former DA Tim Madison Gets 6-Year Prison Sentence By Angela Gary It was the lack of an apology that apparently angered the judge the most. Superior Court Judge Robert Mallis strongly chastised former District Attorney Tim Madison for not apologizing to the young assis tant he pulled into his theft scheme before he sentenced the former District Attorney to serve six years in prison. Madison will likely serve the time in a federal prison. “What you have done to this county is insignificant compared to what you have done to Brett Williams," the judge told Madison. “What I was hoping to hear in this hearing today was about Brett Williams. You apologized to every one in this courtroom ... to your family and friends ... to this circuit ... but not one word about Brett Williams ... You used one of your own assistant district attorneys... a young man who I’m sure respected you as a person of the highest integrity and honesty ... You have destroyed the career of a young lawyer." Madison was also given six years probation and ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution for the money he took from the Piedmont Judicial Circuit. The majority of the funds were taken from Banks County. Madison must also serve one year in an alcohol treatment program. “This is a very tragic day for the Piedmont Judicial Circuit... and for a person who had a brilliant career in the circuit and was well respect ed by most everyone he came into contact with," the judge said. Mallis said he received many let ters of support for Madison that included “glowing statements on your honesty and integrity." Madison will turn himself into the Banks County Jail at 9 a.m. Saturday. The Georgia Department of Corrections will determine where Madison will be housed dur ing his prison sentence. Officials with the state have already dis cussed placing Madison in a fed eral prison for his safety. Brett Williams and Linn Jones, Madison’s wife, were also charged in the case. Their court dates have not been set. Madison’s Comments Before he was sentenced, Madison addressed the court: “I’m deeply sorry for what I’ve done," Madison told the judge. “I’m ashamed of what I’ve done ... I’ve already surrendered my law license. I was ready to commit suicide. I was embarrassed. I was ashamed. I’m at your mercy. I’m very sorry that I did this." During testimony from several witnesses and from Madison him self, a story of alcoholism, men tal illness and a gambling addic tion were revealed. Madison has been treated for alcoholism-related issues and has attended AA meet ings since the mid-1990s, although he had not been in treatment for several years “I was living a secret life,” Madison said. Eight Counts Madison was charged in Banks County with two theft charges, one count of violation of oath of office, four counts of false statements and writings and one count of con spiracy to defraud a political entity. He was not charged in Jackson and Barrow counties in exchange for his plea in Banks County. However, the restitution includes money taken from the other counties. Three of the criminal counts against Madison dealt with his scheme to bill Banks County for a full-time salary for Williams, who was already being paid a full-time salary from the state. The money from Banks County was paid to Williams, who then passed it on to Madison. Madison put the money into a per sonal checking account and used it for a variety of things, including purchasing a $7,000 motorcycle. The other counts against Madison center around the falsification of time cards for his wife, Linn Jones, who was employed to work 20 hours a week in Banks County and 40 hours a week in Jackson County. Several time cards she sub mitted were for time when she was out of the county, including a trip to a casino cruise ship based out of Brunswick and a visit to San Diego, CA Long Day Of Testimony The sentencing hearing got under way Tuesday in Banks County Superior Court with three witness es called by prosecutors. Banks County Board of Commissioners chairman Gene Hart, Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman and former Piedmont Judicial Circuit chief assistant dis trict attorney Allison Mauldin testi fied on the impact of the crime. ^tc&d&tpd, /4tttc$€tCd' Mon. - Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. ^ March Special N 1/2 sandwich, soup, chips, drink, dessert ^ Just $6.00 + tax / 193 Pottery Factory Drive • Exit 149 at Banks Crossing 706-335-0717 Fareha Rahim, MD Internal Medicine We are now located at our new office at 613 Hospital Road Commerce, Georgia 30529 Commerce Medical Center 1 706-335-9411 \^MCR^ICDJ3C/BS^IGN^HMO/PPO^MERIGROUF^AR^JH^J Have Your Federal income Tax Return Prepared 1 ’* In This Office And You Could Become The Proud Owner of a 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid PLUS • We ll make a 2008 estimated tax payment for you to cover the taxes 3 • Prepare your 2008 Income taxes for free 1816 N. Broad Street Commerce. GA 30529 (706) 335-3551 Your paid return will Automatically Enter You in a Company-Wide Drawing* to Win 1 - Tta return mini be paid tor m ful by d-awing date to be eligible lor drawing 2 — Employees (and tftol' rolat vo>) of Security Finance Corporation of Spartanburg, its subsidiaries and affiliates are not ollgiblo 3 Baood on Iho additional tax tHat would Have boon duo if prixo woo on your 3007 fodoral tax return * - Drawing to be oonductod by Independent Accounting Firm Eliott Davie, LLC on May 1,2008 Former Piedmont Circuit district attorney Tim Tuesday at his sentencing hearing in Banks Madison, center, takes notes during testimony County. He will serve six years in prison. Hart said the actions caused his staff to lose their respect for the office of district attorney. He said they also now more closely monitor and question any financial issues dealing with the office. Chapman said the theft caused a lot of distrust for everyone in the law enforcement community. “In the minds of many people, it cast suspicions that we might be guilty of the same thing," he said. Mauldin, who was very emotional during her testimony, said she was shocked and disappointed when the charges against Madison were reported. “It was shocking," she said. “We read about it in the paper like everyone else. No one wanted to believe it. It was devastating to the morale in the office ... There is an embarrassment factor. There is a cloud of suspicion that we should have known, or that we were involved... It completely destroyed the office." 17 Defense Witnesses Madison’s lawyer Ed Tolley called 17 witnesses, including long time friends, family members, Alcoholics Anonymous support ers and people who worked with Madison on domestic violence issues. Family and friends testified about long-standing family issues dealing with mental illness and alcoholism. They also testified about Madison’s own struggles with alcoholism and how it “clouds your entire think ing.” “He had an erosion of morals while he was under the influence of alcohol," one friend testified. Others who testified included a doctor who has treated Madison and the director of the alcohol abuse center where he has been living for the past three months. At the alcohol treatment center, Madison has been required to have a full-time job. He worked for Fieldale Farms for a while and now works at an animal shelter where he cleans out dog pens and takes the animals for walks. He is also required to go to group therapy and individual counseling. Members of the legal community and directors of agencies Madison worked with testified about his “brilliance as a prosecutor" and his work for domestic abuse victims. “I never met a more formida ble adversary," said long-time Commerce attorney Greg Perry, who faced Madison in court many times over the past few decades. Funds Being Collected For Special Olympians Jackson County residents are being encouraged this week to invest their pocket change in the Special Olympics. During “Exceptional Children’s Week" March 3-8, change is being collected all over the state to sup port Special Olympics Georgia. Canisters can be found at Cabin Creek BBQ, Nicholson; Code 4, Commerce; the Jackson County Board of Education offices and Jackson County Comprehensive High School, East Jackson Comprehensive High School, East Jackson middle and elemen tary schools, Benton Elementary School, West Jackson Primary School, Maysville Elementary School, West Jackson Intermediate School and North Jackson and South Jackson elementary schools. The funds collected will be used to help pay for Special Olympics training and competition, including uniforms and transportation. NOW OPEN Ama Kishi Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar ^ Dinner: 5:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. Now Open For Lunch -11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 706-423-0040 228 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. • Commerce, GA 30529 Across From Home Depot $ 5 00 OFF Ticket Of $ 2CP° Or More. Valid with coupon Mon.-Thurs. only. La Hacienda Commerce La Hacienda Jefferson 173 Steven B. Tanger Blvd. 605 Athens Street 706-335-7458 706-367-5095 ^Tfie Original Mexican Restaurant! Not affiliated with any other restaurant. j W & W METAL ROOFING “We Got You Covered” Residential • Commercial • Agricultural • Ship Anywhere In The USA • We Stock Your Metal Needs • Visit Our Showroom www.wwmetalroofmg.com 706-654-5836 AU Hwy. 60 / Candler Hwy. • Pendergrass, Ga. 30 Year Paint "4 Warranty Sales Service Installation We Pay Top Dollar on all gold, silver, diamonds, paper money and sports memorabilia. Joe Knows Coins! 706-548-1632 2830 Lexington Rd. (I 706-548-1632 www.thorntonsdirect.com Collectibles for Over 30 Years in the Athens Area KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL GET A HAIRCUT ^ Wood's o I—f 1441 North 2= Hwy 98 t lla Road 1- (p E 4 th ens Commerce's Only Barber Shop Family Haircare Bill Wood, Owner Walk-Ins Welcome Wood Barber Shop 581 lla Road, Lot#!, Commerce (706) 335-5392 • Mon.-Fri. 8-6 Bray Construction, Inc. • New Homes • Remodeling • Vinyl Siding • Masonry Work • Concrete Finishing (706) 789-2313 (EaktttH dHakrrs Est. 1997 i r r ~r --- ■ Custom Cabinets A" T Urnf , For Home Or Office Av^n ahle • Kitchen • Bath • Office • Entertainment Centers •Granite • Corian • Silestone BUILDER/CONTRACTORS WELCOME 706-652-2013 706-652-2082 - Fax • dodgewoodworks@yahoo.com POSITION AVAILABLE City of Commerce The City of Commerce is accepting applications for a Cashier in the Finance Department. The position is fulltime and is a Grade 9 position (ranging from $11.75 to $17.71 per hour ($24,440 to $36,837 annually). Depending upon qualifications and experience, the starting pay will be between $11.75 and $12.98. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, experience in cashiering, experience with computer applications, good typing skills, and must be excellent in customer service. An application is available at City Hall or online at www.commercega.org until Monday, March 10, 2008 or until filled. Please direct your inquires to payroll@commercega.org. The City of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Tracy Hall, Payroll & Benefits Coordinator City of Commerce