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EFFINGHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – A former Georgia State Patrol supervisor fired for failing to report troopers who were filing personal injury claims from pursuits is no longer employed by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed.
Joseph Curlee was hired by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office less than a week after he was fired from GSP. The Sheriff’s Office did not say why he no longer works there.
Background on the firings
Curlee supervised three troopers — Hunter Waters, Isaiah Francois and Tyler Byrd — who were terminated after a Department of Public Safety investigation found they had filed personal injury claims against people they PIT maneuvered during pursuits. The three troopers made close to $100,000 filing those claims. A PIT maneuver involves hitting a vehicle with a patrol car to end a chase.
Curlee was fired because he knew about the scheme, did not report it, and attempted to participate himself. The attorney handling the claims, Tina Maddox, found he had no claims she deemed payable.
On his application to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Curlee checked that he had been fired from a previous job and noted it was for failing to report the misconduct of others. He did not disclose that he also attempted to take part in that misconduct.
When the Sheriff’s Office hired Curlee, Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie issued a statement saying, “We needed an employee and he needed a job. He is not under any POST investigation.” Curlee has since come under POST investigation.
Investigations ongoing
All four fired troopers are now under investigation by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, the agency that certifies law enforcement officers in the state. POST has the authority to revoke or suspend an officer’s certification.
The Georgia Insurance Commissioner’s Office is also investigating the matter.
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