Governor Brian Kemp has suspended a Guyton City Councilman who is facing felony charges in Effingham County.
Theodore Walden Hamby III was arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on March 14, 2025 after a request for inquiry into his use of the city credit card. 26-year-old Hamby was charged with felony Theft by Taking and Financial Transaction Card Fraud. He was booked into the Effingham County Jail where he remained for three days. Upon his release, Mayor Andy Harville asked Hamby to resign from his post, but he refused. Hamby was later indicted on a host of charges, including Financial Transaction Card Fraud (x3), and Making False Statements (x2).
On July 17, Kemp appointed a committee to evaluate whether the charges related to and adversely affect the administration of duties of Hamby such that the rights and interest of the public are adversely affected. He subsequently appointed the Georgia Attorney General, Chris Carr, and two council members from other municipalities – Dan Peterson from the City of Perry and Tommy Roberts from Fitzgerald.
The committee was supposed to submit a report at the end of July, but requested an extension. That report was given to the Governor on August 14.
In an executive order signed Wednesday, Kemp wrote that the review commission found that the indictment of Hamby “does relate to and adversely affect the administration of the Guyton City Council such that the rights and interests of the public are adversely affected thereby, and recommended that Mr. Hamby be suspended from office pursuant to the provisions of Code Section 45-5-6.”
As a result, Kemp’s order suspends Hamby from public office effectively immediately. Hamby will be barred from participating in official business and he will no no longer be compensated.
The suspension comes the same day as a Superior Court Judge dismissed Hamby’s motion for a change of venue.
