“Through the system of the annual audit, we found inconsistencies that led to our questions that brought in the district attorney’s office and the GBI,” said Gilmer County Commission Chairman Mark Chastain. “We run a pretty tight financial ship and watch our nickels and dimes and pennies. The fact there was a way (for her) to accomplish this is pretty disappointing."
”According to the affidavit filed by the GBI, investigators said Hightower diverted checks meant to pay Gilmer County EMS for ambulance service into an account to which only she had access. Agents said Hightower used that money to make house and car payments and to pay credit card bills. Channel Two’s Richard Elliot went by Hightower’s East Ellijay house, but no one was home.
