Governor issues new executive order related to sheriff's indecency case

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Gov. Nathan deal is expanding his investigation into the DeKalb County sheriff who is accused of exposing himself and running from police.

Channel 2's Nicole Carr confirmed Tuesday that Sheriff Jeffrey Mann had his county-issued car during the incident at Piedmont Park and that may play a big role in the state investigation.

While Mann's defense sought to stop the state investigation by challenging the language, the governor broadened it and brought Mann's behavior on the job into question.

“The people of DeKalb County are starting to wonder when is it ever going to end? It needs to come to an end," DeKalb County resident Harold Dennis said.

On Tuesday morning, Carr learned that the state investigation into Mann will not end anytime soon, despite a challenge from his defense team.

“I'm here to tell you Sheriff Mann is not facing criminal charges,” Mann’s attorney Noah Pines said Friday in a news conference.

Pines highlighted alleged city ordinance offenses, not the criminal charges, as serving as the basis for the governor's executive order.

That order formed an investigative team to advise on suspension for Mann after a Piedmont Park arrest where police say the sheriff exposed himself and ran from police.

A new executive order adds misconduct in office and the incapacity to lead as reasons to broaden the investigation, rather than throw it out.

"If people aren't taking him seriously, if they're not reporting to him, if his staff has lost faith in him, that could be the incapacity to do his job," Channel 2 legal analyst Esther Panitch told Carr.

Panitch also points out that the use of Mann's county issued car to travel to Piedmont Park could now be at play.

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“He can't have it both ways. He's on duty for the purposes of any crimes he (is) alleged to have committed, any ordinances he's alleged to have violated,” Panitch said.

“The citizens deserve better than currently what's in office right now,” said Harold Dennis, who ran against and lost to Mann in November. “It's morals. How can you stand before your officers and have them make arrests for public indecency when you yourself have been arrested for public indecency?”

Mann has not spoken about the incident, but has offered an apology and vowed to continue his work through a statement.

His attorney said Tuesday he was preparing a response to the governor’s new order, but later told Carr that wouldn’t happen.

Cox Media Group