CBS Atlanta 46Recorded evidence against indicted ex-sheriff released

Tuesday the fall-out is expected to continue following the release of a 2008 phone conversation Monday involving Victor Hill, former Clayton County Sheriff.

Hill was all smiles when he walked out of jail on Thursday, two days after a grand jury returned a 37-count criminal indictment against him.

Hill maintains his innocence and vows to clear his name as he ramps up his campaign against his successor, Sheriff Kem Kimbrough.

But Hill is in for a battle. CBS Atlanta now has evidence prosecutors plan to use against Hill. It's a recording of a phone conversation in 2008 when Hill was sheriff. The call is between Hill and Jonathan Newton, one of his then-deputies.

On the call, you can hear Hill allegedly say, "I'm not worried that everybody is coming for my head. There is nothing nobody can do to me. I just want the book finished."

During the conversation, Hill is heard saying he wants Newton to help him write a book and get paid by the county to do it.

"Why don't we do it this way as an act of good faith, come work a solid two weeks and I'll drop that other thing. Not only that, make some overtime," Hill said.

On the audio, Hill appears eager to get the book written.

Hill stated, "Today is Thursday. Let's get to work today and that way you don't have to work tonight. I'll tell the chief that your assignment has changed."

You also hear Hill tell Newton to spend an entire work day working on his book.

"Let's just do a straight eight hours work," said Hill.
 
The investigation against Hill was led by the current sheriff, Hill's political rival. Kimbrough accused Hill of stealing county money, lying, using county vehicles and employees for his own benefit and running the sheriff's office like a criminal enterprise.

Sharon Crenshaw said she had enough of Hill.

Crenshaw lived in the county for a year. Her friend, Newton, told her that Hill took thousands of dollars from his campaign and paid himself. Crenshaw eventually came forward and her accusations helped lead to Hill's recent indictment.

"He took his position and made people bend to his will," Crenshaw said. "It angers me because you took an oath of office."

Crenshaw also accused Hill of pressuring Newton into doing personal work for Hill at taxpayers' expense.    

Crenshaw filed a complaint with the state ethics commission after she saw Hill's campaign disclosure report. Hill paid $7,000 to a company named Southern Resources Inc. for political consulting work, a firm Hill owned, according the campaign disclosure report that he filed when he was running for re-election for sheriff in 2008. Hill was the president, treasurer, director and secretary of Southern Resources, according to the report.

The same report also showed that Hill paid $15,000 to campaign manager Naomi Nash. But, according to the indictment against Hill, Nash gave that money back to Hill.

Hill, who is running in an election later this year to win back his old sheriff job, was arrested last week after being indicted on 37 criminal counts, including the most serious, racketeering.

Nash was indicted as well.

Hill's lawyer, Musa Ghanayem, said in a telephone interview, "Nothing indicates any wrongdoing by Victor Hill."

Ghanayem said he could not comment on whether Hill took campaign money for himself because of a court gag order.

Newton, who was also indicted, said his attorney advised him not to speak.

Hill has vowed to continue his campaign.

Crenshaw is angry with Hill. "Shame on you for duping the citizens of Clayton County. You let down a lot of people," Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw also claimed that Kimbrough had access to the recorded phone conversation between Hill and Newton recording and accusations of misuse of campaign funds at least since last spring, but chose not to use that information until it was politically convenient to release it against Hill.

Kimbrough did not respond to CBS Atlanta's request for an interview.

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