Paulding DA turns himself in on felony charges stemming from sexual harassment investigation

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — The Paulding County’s District Attorney surrendered to the sheriff’s office days after the state issued a warrant for his arrest last week.

Dick Donovan was booked into the Paulding County Jail around 4:28 p.m. Monday. He was released on a $2,500 cash bond at 5:41 pm.

A grand jury indicted Donovan on four criminal charges, including bribery and lying under oath. Most of the charges stem from his relationship with a top female staff member. Donovan had until Tuesday to surrender to authorities.

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Channel 2 Action News first told you about the investigation into Donovan in 2019. He has always denied the allegations.

[RELATED: Paulding County DA indicted on 4 felony charges stemming from sexual harassment investigation]

If he is convicted, these are the jail times and/or fines that Donovan could face:

• Bribery: 1-20 years, and/or a fine up to $5,000
• Violation of Oath of Office: 1-5 years, and/or a fine up to $100,000
• False Swearing: 1-5 years, and/or a fine up to $1,000

Donovan has been in office since he was elected to the position in 2010.

According to the indictment, Donovan submitted an order dismissing criminal charges against a prosecutor’s client in hopes that the prosecutor would in turn dismiss charges against an employee in Donovan’s office.

The indictment also says Donovan “made false statements in a sworn affidavit when he denied ever having said that he wanted to have sex with this same employee of his office and denied describing fantasies regarding his desire to be physical with this employee.”

MORE RELATED STORIES:

• Paulding County DA indicted on 4 felony charges stemming from sexual harassment investigation
• Investigation finds local DA gave staffer cash, gifts and sexual innuendo
• Taxpayers on hook for $300,000 to settle sexual harassment case against metro DA

Fate of Paulding County DA now in governor's hands Dick Donovan has been indicted on one count of felony bribery, one count of false swearing and two counts of violation of oath by a public officer.

Cox Media Group