Northeast Georgia public official indicted

A commissioner for Franklin County, Georgia, David Strickland,  has been indicted on two felony counts in connection with the purchase of property in Canon. The indictments were handed down Monday against Strickland by the Franklin County Grand Jury. Afterward, a judge issued a bench warrant on behalf of the grand jury for the 56-year old Strickland, a Lavonia resident. Strickland was indicted on one count of felony Theft by Deception and one count of Exploitation of Elder Person. According to count one of the indictment, in January Strickland allegedly used deceptive practices to buy property in Canon, which at the time was owned by an elderly couple identified in the indictment as Frankie and Patsy Sosby. The indictment alleges Strickland used, “deceitful means and artful practice” by telling the couple they had to sell the property to his wife in order to avoid losing their home, rather than filing bankruptcy.  Strickland then allegedly kept the proceeds of the sale of the Sosby property. Count two of the indictment alleges Strickland used the Sosby’s Social Security payments, and the property for his own personal gain and then charged the Sosby’s $500 a month rent to stay in their home, when bankruptcy would have allowed them to keep their home and their Social Security payments. Strickland owns Strickland & Associates, an insurance brokerage company with offices in Royston and Lavonia. He has been a Franklin County commissioner for the past four years. According to WLHR Lake Hartwell Radio, Strickland turned himself in to the Franklin County Sheriff’s office Tuesday morning. After he was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center, he was immediately released on a $10,000 bond.