The state attorney generals office has taken over an investigation of former Chatham County Coroner James Metts Jr. at the request of District Attorney Meg Heap.
Heap said on Monday morning that she made the request because she had once worked as a private attorney with Metts’ son, Savannah attorney Clay Metts, and she wanted to avoid any conflicts of interest.
Tom Durden, district attorney for the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, has been assigned the case.
Metts submitted his resignation on about Dec. 14 about one month after being reelected and after internal county auditors cited at least $141,000 in expenses as "questionable" - including payments for a secretary that Metts did not have. Additional funds of almost $100,000 for secretary reimbursement could not be verified due to a lack of documentation.
For more on this story, check Tuesay's edition of the Savannah Morning News or online at Savannahnow.com