Sgt. James Cutcliff
Photo: Channel 2 Action News
Forsyth County deputy fired during investigation into voting record
Shaddi Abusaid, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Forsyth County deputy is out of a job after allegedly lying during an internal investigation into claims that he listed the county jail as his home address and voted in elections where he wasn't eligible.
Sgt. James Cutcliff was placed on leave last month after the sheriff's office and the GBI launched investigations into allegations he voted illegally in Cumming elections.
Voter registration records obtained by Channel 2 Action News show Cutcliff listed his address as 202 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, the address of the Forsyth County jail.
Cutcliff was fired after allegedly lying to members of the sheriff's office during their portion of the investigation.
Investigators found Cutcliff used the jail as his address since 2011, but when asked about it, the former deputy said he didn't vote illegally or that he "didn't recall," according to the internal affairs report.
Investigators determined he violated sheriff's office policies by not being truthful, by breaking the law and by displaying "conduct unbecoming of a deputy," the report states.
Listing an address other than your home for voting purposes is a felony in Georgia, elections attorney Bryan Tyson told Channel 2.
"You're only allowed to vote at the place of your legal residence," he said. "When a person votes or registers at a place that is not their address, they're providing false information, which is a violation and a felony under the Georgia election code."
Cutcliff was set to appear before the county's election board Tuesday, but his hearing was canceled because of an open GBI investigation.
GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said that investigation was completed late last week and turned over to Forsyth County District Attorney Penny Penn for review. The DA's office could pursue criminal charges against Cutcliff.
Police say Tommy Shane Morton is serving a 10-year sentence for manufacturing marijuana and theft.