Multiple Controversies Culminate in Tense Meeting for Augusta County Board of Supervisors

Written by: Sam Orlando

A Night of Heightened Tensions

VERONA, VIRGINIA - An air of palpable tension pervaded the September 27 meeting of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors, a culmination of mounting controversies and investigations that have plagued the board over recent weeks. The session was characterized by overt hostility, evident divisions, and an undercurrent of apprehension that didn't escape the vigilant eyes of several Breaking Through reporters watching the meeting.

Secret Recordings Revealed

The central point of contention revolved around Supervisor Scott Seaton, who, as previously reported by Breaking Through News, turned over secret recordings of fellow board members to the Department of Justice and the FBI. This unexpected move ruffled many within the board, as members displayed clear animosity toward Seaton. Yet, beneath their aggressive posturing lay a tangible unease and paranoia.

Questioning the Narrative

Defending his decision to record meetings, Seaton had previously argued they served as a tool for personal note-taking. He elaborated that suspicions arose after a conversation with another board member questioned whether County Administrator Timothy Fitzgerald had signed a contract without proper authorization. Many board members last night challenged Seaton's narrative, hinting that he had lied about another Board member sharing his concern. Ultimately Seaton was asked to name the Board member in question.

Carter's Startling Admission

In a dramatic twist, Supervisor Pam Carter admitted that it was her who had approached Seaton about concerns that FItzgerald may have signed a contract without Board authorization. Carter then seemed to backpedal, saying that she had spoken with Fitzgerald after raising her concern with Seaton. The Board chair quickly adjourned the meeting after Carter's admission.

Two Decades of "Ransom" Fees

However, the complexities didn't end with Seaton's recordings. A more entrenched controversy related to the county's animal control allegedly levying illegal ransom fees for over two decades was addressed. Recent testimony from a state court FOIA hearing hinted that this might be at the heart of the federal inquiry, intensifying the spotlight on the board's activities.

The County moved forward with a plan to try to codify some of the illegal fees into a statute, because nothing says remorse like doubling down on criminal behavior. The Board's move passed on a vote of 6 to 1, with Seaton being the lone dissenting vote.

Public Comment: Staggering Legal Costs Unveiled

Adding to the board's challenges, a Rockingham County resident spoke, highlighting Augusta County's substantial legal fees related to defending civil rights cases. The speaker listed off several lawsuits, and their corresponding costs of $25k, $58k, $162k, $6k, $35k, $82k, and $17k respectively, incurred defending civil rights lawsuits against county law enforcement and other leaders. The cumulative total costs reported by the speaker, who said he retrieved the information through a Freedom of Information Act request, stands at a staggering $375k. Thats quite a bit of money for Augusta County to be passing on to insurance companies. How much money can the county continue to spend on civil rights abuses before it changes practices? The revelations prompt serious questions about consistent patterns of civil rights infringements by local authorities, as detailed in these suits.

Transparency in Question

Publicly accessible via a linked broadcast, the proceedings shed light on the widening rifts within the board and raised eyebrows about their commitment to transparency, so vital for upholding public trust.

Under the Microscope

With the situation rapidly unfolding, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors finds itself increasingly under the public and legal microscope. As the narrative continues to evolve, all eyes are keenly focused on the board's forthcoming actions.