The employees suspended were not the target of the investigation. The human resources director instigated the probe and the county clerk furnished the sheriff with county records, according to statements from the two elected officials.

Dove suspended both employees with pay pending an investigation into their conduct, he said Friday.

The commissioners met late Thursday in Danielsville to discuss the matter, but did not take any action following an executive session.

However, during public comments before the closed session, Dove said the HR director admitted she went to the sheriff and asked him to look into irregularities on certain employees’ time cards.

Dove found out about the investigation earlier in the week, including the fact that the sheriff had accessed the courthouse security cameras that do security surveillance on people moving in and out of the courthouse.

The HR director should have come to him with concerns about time sheet discrepancies and the sheriff should have notified him as well about his decision to initiate an investigation, Dove said.

“I’m disappointed (Thomas) would not contact me or come in here without discussing the issue and investigate employees under the BOC control,” Dove said. “I don’t see how this is not a conflict of interest, especially when there has been conflict between the sheriff’s department and our financial department in the past.”

But Thomas sees nothing wrong with what the two county employees did.

“We were asked to do an investigation. That’s our job,” Thomas said Friday. “The two people who got in trouble were doing their jobs. Why they are in trouble nobody can tell me. We’re not even done. (Dove is) upset over nothing right now.”

Thomas said his office requested some open records from the county clerk during the investigation and they were provided.

So far, the probe has focused on the work records of two unnamed county employees, but no decision has been made on whether anything criminal was done, Thomas said.

“I’m not going to accuse anybody of doing anything wrong until I know for sure,” he said. “(Dove) says I overstepped my boundaries. Well, he’s wrong. We’re supposed to look into any allegations of wrongdoing.”

Dove also said he has concerns over the “sheriff using surveillance cameras to conduct surveillance on some BOC office employees.”

The sheriff denied he was conducting any special camera surveillance on county employees.

“The cameras at the courthouse survey employees when they come to work every day,” he said.

Dove was “severely” premature at taking administrative action against the two employees who were suspended, Thomas said.

“It could be something totally benign and they got all tore out of shape about it,” he said.

• Follow Around Here editor/writer Wayne Ford on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WayneFordABH.

DISRUPTION: On May 6, Sgt. Jeff Vaughn was called to look for a student who ran out of in-school suspension at Madison County Middle School without permission. The boy had been disruptive in three classrooms that day and was sent to suspension. After the boy was located, he turned in two cans of tobacco dip he had in his backpack.

After school officials searched his backpack, they also found a razor blade knife. The juvenile was then transported to the sheriff’s office.

BURGLARY: On May 6, Cpl. Jason Luke was dispatched to Friendship Church Road, where a man said he arrived home and found a black and red older model Toyota pickup parked in his yard. A white man, who had a slender build with long brown hair tied in a ponytail, jumped into the pickup and fled.

The man said he shouted for the man to stop and fired two gunshots into the air, but the pickup kept going. The burglar had already moved a TV, XBox 360, clothing, ammunition from the house and into the pickup, but these items rolled out of the bed of the truck as the suspect hurriedly fled.

A lookout was posted for the truck, which could not be found. Investigators also want to question a 23-year-old man, who has been identified as a possible suspect.

HARASSMENT: On May 6, Sgt. Klint Segars was dispatched to Childers Road, where a woman said her ex-husband had sent her harassing phone calls and text messages.

BURGLARY: On May 6, Sgt. Jeff Strickland was dispatched to Pine Valley Farm Road, Comer, where a man said between April 29 and May 6 someone entered two outbuildings and stole two chain saws, a circular saw, a Sawzall, charger, flashlight and a Milwaukee tool set, all valued about $1,100.

SHOPLIFTING: On May 7, Deputy David Kidd was dispatched to CVS in Hull, where he was told a woman shoplifted several items. An employee confronted the suspect, but he made threats and then threw a package of men’s tank top shirts she had removed from the store.

The woman left in a white Ford Explorer. The suspect was described as a black woman in her late 20s to early 30s and wearing her hair pulled tightly down on her head.

PHONE RECOVERED: On May 7, Sgt. Jeff Vaughn met with a student and school official in regards to a cellphone stolen during a dance for eighth-graders. The student said she placed the phone, along with her purse under a table, while she danced and during this time it was stolen.

An app search was later made on the iPhone and it was traced to the Tanger Outlet Mall in Commerce, where the student and her mother went and saw the offender. The offender admitted taking the phone and apologized for his actions. He was suspended from school and released to his parents.

SHOPLIFTING: On May 7, Sgt. Jeff Strickland was dispatched to CVS in Hull, where a man seen shoplifting had fled from the store in the direction of the Dollar General. Strickland spotted the suspect running across Glenn Carrie Road toward the back of the Ingles supermarket.

Strickland located the man and placed him custody. A video showed the suspect placing oral hygiene items in his pants and then running out the door. Vernon Demetre Lester, 43, of Norwood Circle, Athens, was charged with shoplifting and giving a false name to law enforcement.

BURGLARY: On May 7, Deputy Andrew Wilkes was dispatched to Hickory Point, Hull, where a man said he came home and found a door to his shop open. A motor was missing from the building.

CADILLAC STOLEN: On May 7, Deputy David Kidd was dispatched to Danny’s Auto on Georgia Highway 72, where a Cadillac Escalade was stolen while parked on the side of a building. The vehicle had several thousand dollars worth of tools inside.

BRAWL AT PARK: On May 7, Sgt. Gary Floyd was dispatched to the Madison County Recreation Park parking lot in Danielsville where several teens engaged in a fight. The father of one of the combatants said he tried to stop the fight, but others joined in the brawl. The man said he didn’t see who threw the first punch.

Two of the teens had a problem about a girl and met at the park to work out their problem. One teen told the deputy that when he turned his head the other punched him in the side of the head and then the others joined in when he tried to defend himself. The deputy said he would file charges against two of the offenders.

DOG SHOT: On May 8, Deputy Justin Hanley was dispatched to Diamond Circle, where a woman said she saw a white dog sitting on her porch with a arrow sticking out of its shoulder.

The deputy observed the dog, then called for Code Enforcement Officer Jack Huff.

The dog, which had a rabies tag, was identified as belonging to a resident of Jones Matthews Road. The owner was contacted and he made arrangements to have the dog picked up.

BURGLARY: On May 8, Deputy Cpl. Josh Fowler was dispatched to Brickyard Road, Comer, where a man reported a lock had been cut off a gate at a driveway leading up to his home. The owner checked his home and found two windows open. Also, a shop had been entered. Some tax records and veterinary records on his animals were missing.

METH FOUND: On May 9, Investigator Doug Martin and other deputies went to a house on S&M Drive, Hull, to find a man wanted by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies located the suspect wanted by Oconee County, and while they were at the house they found a small baggie with methamphetamine. The 48-year-old resident, William Douglas Smith, was charged with possession of meth.

GUN MISSING: On May 9, Cpl. Josh Fowler met with a man who reported that on Jan. 1 a man came to his house and asked to borrow a Mossberg shotgun to take his son hunting. The man said he loaned the gun, but the man never returned the gun. He has called the man, but the man will not return his calls or speak to him about the shotgun.

MEDS TAKEN: On May 9, Lt. Jonny Johnson met with a man at his home in Diamond Hill Mobile Home Park near Hull, who explained that while he was incarcerated in the Madison County Jail, a 57-year-old woman picked up his medications from a pharmacy. He said the woman took the medicines and ended up in intensive care at an Athens hospital.

The man said he wants to prosecute the woman for theft.

BURGLARY: On May 9, Deputy Josh Smith met with a resident of Griffeth Road, who said she left home about 7:45 a.m. and upon returning at 4 p.m., she found her door pried home and several items missing, including a SKS rifle with five live rounds, a box with documents and an ammunition box.

WOMAN ARRESTED: On May 10, Sgt. Jeff Strickland was dispatched to a home on James Adams Road after the resident called to say a woman had driven up to her home in a pickup and said she had run out of gasoline.

Another woman arrived to pick up the stranded motorist and they left in a Dodge car. As Strickland spoke to the complainant, he looked in the pickup and saw a glass pipe, several hypodermic needles, a spoon and cotton swabs. After looking inside the truck, he also found a rifle reported stolen out of Franklin County.

Later deputies arrested Lara Alaina Carey, 33, of James Springs Road, Danielsville, on charges of receiving stolen property, illegal possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug-related objects.

ATV STOLEN: On May 10, Cpl. Jason Luke was dispatched to a home on Pine Valley Farm Road, where a couple reported the theft of their son’s four-wheeler. A neighbor heard the ATV start up and being driven away in the direction of Comer.

HARASSMENT: On May 10, a Hull woman reported she had been getting threatening phone calls from her ex-boyfriend, who is upset with their breakup. The man cusses at her and has threatened to damage her car.

BURGLARY; On May 12, Deputy Christopher Haston was dispatched to Loop Road, where a woman said her family went to a car race in Lavonia and upon returning home they found the door wide open and a light on. They went inside and found cabinets, boxes and drawers open, but couldn’t determine if anything was stolen.

BATTERY: On May 6, Deputy Klint Segars went to a home on Old Elberton Road, Hull, and arrested Elijah W. Minish, 24, on a charge of battery after he assaulted a woman, who was punched in the face and pushed off a bed. The victim is pregnant.

Three Madison County High School FFA Chapter officers received awards recently for their record keeping, which highlights work by the chapter members. Bailey Seabolt, right, the FFA reporter, placed first in Area II and won first place in the state for her Reporter’s Book. Jessica Baxter, the FFA secretary, had her book place third in Area II and it received a gold emblem. Olivia Minish, left, the FFA treasurer, saw her book place first in Area II and third in the state, which is the highest in the state that a treasurer’s book from the chapter has ever placed in state competition.

FORGERY: On April 30, Cpl. Josh Smith met with an employee of Engineering & Cycle Co. in regards to a check forged for $1,343. The checking account was closed.

WEAPON FOUND: On April 24, Deputy Jeff Vaughn was dispatched to a report that a student on a bus had opened a knife while he and another student were horse playing. One student’s finger was cut. The student with the knife admitted that he brings the knife to school every day. Both students agreed the cutting was an accident, but a juvenile complaint was filed in court against the offending student charging him with possession of a knife on school property.

FRAUD: On April 30, Investigator Steven Kimbel met with a man who said he hired a man on Georgia Highway 98, Danielsville, for truck repairs after being told the man does quality work for a modest price. In October, he met with the mechanic, who agreed to repair the pickup for $350 in labor, excluding the parts.

In November, the mechanic called saying he needed $250 for the parts and the man gave him the money and obtained a receipt. The man said he later called about his truck, but couldn’t reach him. He then learned the mechanic was in jail.

In February, the man said he checked and his pickup is no longer at the garage and the mechanic is back in jail. The victim said he has no idea what the man did with his pickup, valued at $1,800, but he sought the help of investigators.

MOTORCYCLE STOLEN: On May 1, Deputy Tracy Rucker was dispatched to Willis Glen Road, Hull, where a man said someone stole his black Harley Davidson motorcycle.

FRAUD: On May 1, Lt. Jason Ring met with a Comer woman, who said she was advised by the IRS that someone has used her Social Security number for a tax refund and that she needed to file a report with local law enforcement.

BURGLARY: On May 1, Lt. Jason Ring was dispatched to Brickyard Road, Comer, where a man said someone cut a chain across his driveway to gain access to his property. A window was broken out at his home and used by the burglars gain access. The man discovered that clothing in his daughter’s rooms had been stolen. Also, a shop was entered and a purse with $218 in $2 bills was stolen.

BURGLARY: On May 2, Deputy Andrew Wilkes was dispatched to Danny’s Autos on Georgia Highway 72, where someone broke into the office by cutting the lock off. A Toshiba laptop computer and other items were stolen. The thieves also entered the shop and stole a motorcycle engine, gas tank and a tool box.

RABBIT WOUNDED: On May 2, Deputy David Kidd was dispatched to a home on Pope Miller Road, where a woman said that while she was away someone cut the tail off her pet rabbit. The tail was found on a floor mat in the front of the back door and they found the rabbit hiding under a box.

The woman said someone tried to break into her home on a earlier occasion.

FRAUD: On May 3, Cpl. Josh Smith met with a woman on Ed Cole Road. She said several unauthorized transactions were made on her bank debit card. After an investigation, Candy M. Syfrett, 31, of Hull, was charged with credit card theft and credit card fraud.

WOMAN ARRESTED: On May 3, Cpl. Josh Fowler traveled to Hardman Morris Road to arrest Nicoli J. Neilson, 30, on a warrant. Neilson was summoned outside the house and after she was placed under arrest. The deputy found her in possession of a cigarette pack containing a marijuana cigarette. Neilson was also charged with possession of a stolen bank debit card.

THEFT: On May 3, Deputy Tracy Rucker was dispatched to Piedmont Road, Hull, where a man said he loaned his vehicle to a woman, whom he described as a “pill head,” and that she has not returned the vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered abandoned off Georgia Highway 106 in the Neese community.

WRECK: On May 4, Deputy Lewis Fisher was dispatched to a wreck on McGinnnis Chandler Road, where he saw a red Chevrolet Blazer in a ditch. The driver, Karen Whitfield, said she had missed the driveway and went into the ditch.

However, the deputy smelled alcohol and saw an open container of Bud Light strawberry flavored beer on the floorboard. Whitfield, 50, of Commerce, was charged with DUI, weaving on the road and having an open container.

DUI: On May 4, Cpl. Josh Smith was patrolling on Strickland Circle when he saw a blue Dodge Neon parked at Diamond Hill Ball Park and occupied by four people. As the deputy drove into the parking lot, the car drove off onto U.S. Highway 29, but the driver did not turn on his headlights.

Smith saw the Neon turn onto Billy Dillard Road and fail to stop for a stop sign at Diamond Hill Neese Road. A traffic stop was made and two other deputies arrived to assist. Deputies detected the odor of marijuana and the driver, Zachaery B. Johnson, explained he smokes marijuana every day.

Johnson, 18, of Danielesville, was charged with DUI, endangering a child by driving DUI, not using headlights, failing to obey a stop sign, and possession of marijuana.

PROWLER: On May 4, Deputy Tracy Rucker was dispatched to Rousey Duncan Road, where a man said he came home and found a woman inside the shed in his backyard. The man said he gave the woman some dry clothing and something to eat.

The deputy questioned the woman, but she would only say she was from Habersham. Vanessa J. Farley, 27, of Canon was charged with prowling.

HARASSMENT: On May 5, Deputy Klint Segars met with a Childers Road resident, who said her ex-husband sent her a text message that she considers harassment.

Interested people do not need previous experience with the organization. Anyone interested is asked to call John King at (706) 788-2609.

The spring celebration will feature river access and camping, kayak races, food, and live music from Future Ape Tapes, Patrick Carey, Stupid Idiots, Sea of Dogs, Bubbly Mommy Gun, SHADE, Jacob Morris, Celestial Tide, The Humms, Casper & the Cookies, the B-53’s and a few surprise guests.

The cost is $5. For kayak racing and camping information, call (706) 795-3242.