Investigation Into Officers Charged From George Floyd Riots Cost Taxpayers Dearly
$324,346.67.
That's how much the City of Columbus shelled out over the past two years for an independent investigation into three Columbus Division of Police officers charged during the 2020 George Floyd Riots.
The misdemeanor charges ranged from assault and dereliction of duty to interfering with civil rights and falsifying records.
In the end, the case bombed.
Charges were dropped against officers Traci Shaw and Phillip Walls, and a Franklin County Municipal Court judge, found Sgt. Holly Kanode not guilty.
The city paid retired FBI agent Richard Wozniak $186,848,85, according to records obtained from the Dept. of Public Safety.
According to records obtained from the City Attorney's Office, the city paid Special Prosecutor Kathleen Garber $87,702,82 plus an additional $44,370.00 to Garber's law firm, Kathleen Garber Law LLC.
According to records obtained from the City Attorney's Office, the city paid $5,425.00 to expert witness Tomi Dorris. Dorris is a former Ohio assistant attorney general.
The Sussi Report emailed two questions to all members of Columbus City Council and Robin Davis, Mayor Andy Ginther's spokesperson.
1. Given the outcome, do you see this as a major waste of taxpayer dollars?
2. Given the outcome, should this case have been so vigorously pursued in the first place?
The Sussi Report hasn't received responses from City Council or the mayor's office.
Richard Wozniak Payments
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