ATLANTA, GA – A grand jury has indicted Paulding County District Attorney Donald Richard “Dick” Donovan on four felony charges: Bribery, False Swearing, and Violation of Oath by Public Officer. A Paulding County Grand Jury returned the indictment on February 17, 2021.
“We appreciate the Paulding County Grand Jury for their careful consideration of this case,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “District attorneys work for the people and swear an oath to faithfully and impartially discharge their duties. It is our duty to hold public officials who violate their oath accountable, and we look forward to presenting our case in court.”
“The GBI is dedicated to investigating corruption at all levels and working with prosecutors to help lead to a successful prosecution,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Vic Reynolds.
Donovan has served as the Paulding County District Attorney since his election to that position in 2010.
Donovan had been under investigation after one of his staff members alleged he sexually harassed her.
The indictment charges that Donovan committed the offense of bribery when he submitted an order dismissing criminal charges pending in Paulding County Superior Court against a client of the Cedartown Municipal Court prosecutor with the purpose of influencing this prosecutor’s decision regarding the disposition of criminal charges then pending in the Cedartown Municipal Court against an employee of Donovan’s office.
The indictment also charges Donovan made false statements in a sworn affidavit when he denied ever having said that he wanted to have sex with this same employee of his office and denied describing fantasies regarding his desire to be physical with this employee.
“If it’s sexual harassment, it’s unlawful,” Donovan said in the affidavit. “But I am very, very reluctant to characterize it as sexual harassment because, again, I have never suggested we have sex, I have never offered to have sex with her, I have never said I wanted to have sex with her, I have never tried to have sex with her. I have never touched her anywhere that was inappropriate.”
Donovan was heard on secret recordings before the sexual harassment complaint was filed.
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In addition, the indictment charges that Donovan violated the terms of his oath of District Attorney by committing the offense of bribery.
If convicted, each count enumerated above is punishable as follows:
- Bribery: 1-20 years, and/or a fine up to $5,000
- Violation of Oath of Office: 1-5 years, and/or a fine up to $100,000
- False Swearing: 1-5 years, and/or a fine up to $1,000
The case was investigated the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
