Investigators in two neighboring counties are looking into reported threats against Effingham Now reporter G.G. Rigsby stemming from the newspaper’s coverage of a proposed land deal in Ebenezer.
The alleged threats were reported to Screven County sheriff’s officials on Tuesday by Rigsby’s husband, George Berta, and stem from two visits to their home in Sylvania by a man who identified himself as “Don Rivera.”
Click here to read Berta's full police report to Screven County Sheriff's officials
Berta told sheriff’s officers the visitor praised Effingham County Commissioner Phil Kieffer and said he would “talk some sense into her” and “beat some sense into her if she needed it” if Rigsby continued to write “bad things” about Kieffer.
Rigsby was not at home for either visit and has not been harmed.
Rigsby, a 30-year veteran journalist, covers the Effingham County commission for Effingham Now, Effinghamnow.com, a Rincon-based publication of the Savannah Morning News.
“I cover what (Kieffer) said,” Rigsby said Thursday. “I hardly even talk to him. I think probably (the visitor) has the wrong person.”
Kieffer told the Morning News on Thursday he was disturbed to learn of the incidents and expressed concern for Rigsby and her family but said he was not involved and was cooperating with investigators.
“The primary concern should remain the safety and welfare of her and her family,” Kieffer said.
“While the identities of those individuals involved are being sought, I urgently request that these persons cease and desist. I have not and will not condone or encourage acts such as this.”
The incidents apparently stem from coverage of a proposed purchase of an historic 250-acre tract at Ebenezer Crossing on Ebenezer Creek that went before the Effingham County Commission in September-October.
During the commission’s discussion, Kieffer posted Facebook comments on Sept. 13 accusing fellow commissioner Reggie Loper and County Administrator David Crawley of committing collusion by hiding facts from the board to protect Loper’s re-election chances. He also claimed the swamp land was owned by Loper’s family.
After a heated half-hour discussion Oct. 2, the commissioners voted 3-1 to say too little evidence had been presented to conclude there was any collusion between Loper and the county administrator or any misinformation regarding the swampland.
Loper and Kieffer abstained from the vote. Kieffer stood by his comments.
Screven County Sheriff Mike Kile said Thursday he believes the person who made the alleged threats against Rigsby will be found to be a resident of Effingham County.
“I also believe we’re going to find out who he is,” Kile said.
Kile and Effingham Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie met on Wednesday afternoon in Screven County along with Kieffer.
Effingham County Sheriff’s Department Detective and spokesman David Ehsanipoor said Thursday his office “has taken these threats toward Mrs. Rigsby very seriously and has opened an investigation. ... Our primary concern is for Mrs. Rigsby’s safety.”
“We are looking into all angles and have already followed up on some leads,” he said. “Extra patrols have been placed for the Effingham Now office by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.”
Kieffer, he said, “has been fully cooperative throughout the investigation.”