Towns County Sheriff Clinton defends violation of U.S. Constitution
News October 4, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A week has passed since a local reporter was denied entry to a meeting held at a government facility, and while the Towns County Republican Party and guest speaker, Chris Gaubatz, have extended apologies concerning the unconstitutional ban, Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton has defiantly defended his role in the civil rights violation.
Clinton, who takes to the air waves of a Union County-based radio station each weekday morning, was questioned about the highly controversial incident by the broadcast’s host Oct. 3. The sheriff divulged on live radio that he had, in fact, conversed with Gaubatz immediately prior to the ban and agreed that the reporter, Robin Webb, was justly targeted to prevent potential “bad press” within the conservative activism workshop.
Gaubatz later stated that his snap reaction stemmed from misleading information, presumably supplied by the sheriff, and expressed earnest regret over the handling of the situation. Towns County GOP Chairwoman Betsy Young, who did not attend the meeting, called the ban “not acceptable.”
Webb – whose regular beat includes local political coverage – held reservations for seating at the public event, accepted by the Towns County Republican Party.
Furthermore, Webb reported on Gaubatz last March without incident. Click to read archive
Towns County GOP Vice Chair John Alger (left) en route with news of the media ban. Also pictured: Sheriff Chris Clinton (center) with Chris Gaubatz (right)
“Denying access was deliberate suppression of Freedom of Press set forth by an elected official sworn to uphold the Constitution,” Webb stated in reference to the sheriff’s participation in the ordeal.
True to form, Clinton attempted to portray the county reporter as a hostile, left-wing member of the media on the morning show. “We live in a country where the rules no longer apply to the Progressives…,” Clinton said in apparent support of the illicit ban, going on to talk about insurrection in Washington by the “Left.”
Civil rights’ attorneys have taken a keen interest in the unconstitutional act, calling the violation nothing short of illegal.
Towns County Attorney Robb Kiker issued a formal statement Oct. 2 on behalf of Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, whom Kiker described as “prudent in protecting the integrity of the office.” Commissioner Bradshaw was not present at the event when the incident occurred, later learning details of the situation through third-party accounts.
“I understand Mr. Bradshaw personally expressed disappointment in the handling of the matter,” Attorney Kiker said. “This is characteristic of Mr. Bradshaw because I have always found him to be a strong supporter of the Constitution and, particular to this matter, the freedom of speech.”
Georgia laws requiring a transparent government were additionally called into question by Sheriff Clinton Oct. 3. “It’s staggering the amount of taxpayer time and resources the ‘fake news’ wastes with open records requests about nonsense. It’s stalking,” Clinton, who frequently describes investigative media as “threatening,” claimed.
Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton (left) with Chris Gaubatz at the time of the unconstitutional offense.
Open record requests filed by FYN in the past have revealed unsettling revelations, such as disproving troubling “facts” dispersed to the citizens by the sheriff himself and exposing the limited amount of time that Clinton has devoted to elected duty.
FYN submitted a request Oct. 2 to review the lead lawman’s cellular log on the evening that the media blackout occurred, a point that was negatively noted by the sheriff on-air. FYN expects to receive the legally-requested information from the Towns County Sheriff’s Office in coming days.
6 Comments
I heard him say he had a problem with the particular reporter. I bet because it’s the only one who’s told the truth about what he’s doing wrong and the kind of person he really is. He needs to resign especially after this bombshell. It has made alot of people very upset and not just in Towns County.
The facts of the matter are this: News you don’t like doesn’t make it “fake news”. This isn’t some coordinated hit job like president Trump endures, so trying to use that playbook isn’t accurate . 11 alive out of Atlanta has done stories on this administration as well. Making some easy low level drug arrests near election time and using it as campaign material doesn’t count as doing your job. Directing school traffic is the next step I guess based on prior years around election time. In my opinion, the reason the GSP is really attacking this area is because they know the job isn’t being done. The City of Hiawassee has been making more meaningful stops and arrests the last few years in a much smaller pond than the county department has. What has come out recently has been disqualifying and it’s just getting started…
Was the 1st ammendment repealed, remember the one about free speech and press? Trump has to handle a hostile pack nearly daily. Don’t be intimidated.
What can you expect from a Sheriff that demands an oath of allegiance from the whole department to him! not to Georgia constitution, not the US constitution but allegiance to Chris Clinton. The TCSO is not looked on with favor by surrounding jurisdictions because of these kinds of actions. We deserve better.
When did the Towns County Republican Club become an official government agency?
FOR the people, BY the people. The Constitution you get on a soap box about is not respected by you nor is it embraced. You preach what a hero of a document but violate these protected rights against the local press. Why? Or is this simply a press you cannot control? You are nothing short of a bully and first class failure to this community.
Name calling others as “leftists” may have worked in the past but not this time. Kicking Ms Webb out of the GOP meeting didn’t show strength, it showed what a disappointment and embarrassment you really are. I sincerely believe how you treat others always comes back, to ourselves…. or those we love.
God help you.