Councilman Algin Merritt had a complaint filed against him on February 26, 2010, concerning violations of oath of office about events at his Top Road/Fun House, attempts to obstruct justice and/or the investigative process.

The charges stem from his breaking city ordinances and state laws.

Colquitt is a certified city of ethics, and this matter of ethics was turned over to the city ethics committee. On April 7, the Board of Ethics (Board) returned their findings back to the mayor and city council.

The ethics board investigated the complaint and gave Councilman Merritt notice of the alleged violation.

Merritt was requested a written response to the complaint if he desired. No reply has been sent to date.

A number of forms and reports were obtained during the investigation such as his oath of office, police incident reports at the Fun House on Sunday, February 14, reports on sale of alcohol at the Fun House, reports from Colquitt Police Department of events that took place at the Fun House on Sunday, February 14, copies of six misdemeanor warrants taken on Algin Merritt which allege that laws of the State of Georgia and ordinances of the City of Colquitt were broken, copy of witnesses statements, letter where Merritt attempted to use his position as a councilman to sway the outcome of the criminal charges pending against him, and other evidence of wrong doing.

The evidence given was all checked, but the ethics committee found that the criminal charges, his violation of oath of office and other charges are a matter for the district attorney, a Miller County Grand Jury and criminal courts and does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Board of Ethics since he was not acting as a city councilman.

The evidence that Councilman Merritt has failed to pay his city and county property taxes would fall under the jurisdiction of the city and/or county attorneys to collect unpaid taxes for several years.

The “Board” did find undisputed evidence that Councilman Merritt used his position of office to attempt to sway Police Chief Worsley in the investigation and prosecution of the charges against Councilman Merritt.

The “Board” found there is sufficient evidence to invoke the disciplinary jurisdiction of the City Council of Colquitt against Councilman Merritt.

On Tuesday, April 13th, at a regular meeting of the Mayor and Council of the City of Colquitt, upon review of the findings of the Board of Ethics investigation into the complaint against City Councilman Algin Merritt to determine whether there is a need for a public hearing before the council to address said complaint: On motion of George Williams and second of Grady Jarvis, Council unanimously voted to hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Complex for further discussion. Councilman Merritt did not attend the meeting on April 13.