Resident alleges deputy listened at closed door during Cusseta‑Chattahoochee executive session; commission to follow up

At the May 7 regular meeting, resident Bennett O'Donnell told the commission he had been in an executive session and alleged that a county deputy and that deputy’s supervisor were outside the closed door attempting to listen and that the deputy made snide, intimidating remarks and activated his body camera.

“Just because he is a law officer does not mean he is above the law,” O'Donnell told the commission, and said he did not consent to anyone listening in on the executive session. He asked the commission to consider outside law‑enforcement review and discipline for the conduct.

Chairman Charles Coffey thanked O'Donnell for raising the concern and recorded that the county attorney indicated he would send a letter about the matter; Coffey said the board would follow up after the meeting. The minutes state the attorney planned to contact O'Donnell and the county would address the allegation.

The commission did not record a formal investigation outcome in the May 7 minutes; the matter appears on the minutes as an open‑forum allegation and a county attorney follow‑up rather than a completed internal discipline action.

What happens next: The minutes record the county attorney planned to send a letter and to meet with the resident after the meeting; the commission did not record any disciplinary action in the May minutes.