THOMSON, Ga. — A Georgia mayor who was suspended after a grand jury indicted him for allegedly giving alcohol to an inmate work detail asked for a re-do, and Gov. Brian Kemp re-appointed a commission to look into his case.
Benjamin Cary Cranford, Jr. was elected as the mayor of Thomson in 2023, but back in August, the GBI arrested Cranford after investigating claims he gave alcohol to a work detail within city limits.
The city, which is located roughly 30 miles outside of Augusta, has a population of just under 7,000 people.
Those claims stem from actions that the GBI says happened back in June. Cranford would be indicted by a grand jury in August.
Under Georgia law, when a public official is indicted on felony charges, the governor appoints a review commission to decide whether it "adversely affects the administration of duties" by the public official and harms "the rights and interests of the public."
After a review, a panel of three public officials — Attorney General Christopher Carr, Mayor Roxanne Whitaker of Harlem and Mayor Gary Jones of Grovetown — decided the charges against Cranford did just that.
They recommended the governor suspend Cranford from office until his case concludes or his term ends, which Gov. Brian Kemp did on Oct. 4.
But, after Cranford petitioned for a review of his suspension, the governor agreed Thursday to reinstate the panel of Carr, Whitaker and Jones to reevaluate the case.
Then, in 14 days, they will give another report to the governor on whether to go back on their original recommendation to suspend Cranford or if his suspension should stand.
