Former Guyton City Council member pleads guilty to felony charges

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Former Guyton City Council member Theodore Walden Hamby III entered a guilty plea to felony offenses stemming from his misuse of public office in Effingham County Superior Court Thursday.

He pled guilty to one count of financial transaction card fraud (felony), one count of violation of oath of public officer (felony), and one county of making a false statement (felony).

The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office said these charges stem from Hamby’s misuse of a city-issued financial transaction card for personal benefit while serving as an elected public official, as well as false statements made during the course of the investigation.

The Ogeechee Judicial Circuit DA’s Office announced Hamby was sentenced to 13 years, with 60 days to serve in jail and the remainder on probation. Hamby also got a $2,000 fine and was ordered 80 hours of community service.

“Public officials are entrusted with serving their communities with integrity. When that trust is broken, accountability follows,” wrote the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit DA’s Office in a statement. “We appreciate our law enforcement partners for their work on this case.”