Probate Judge Indicted for Misdemeanor Sexual Battery re County Employee
A probate judge in Franklin County, Ga., has been indicted for misdemeanor sexual battery concerning alleged unwanted intimate contact with a county employee Aug. 16.
Judge Eddie Fowler, who has served on the county’s probate bench for 16 years, is taking a leave of absence and due to retire in December, WLHR reports.
He was arrested at the end of August after a probe by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and released on bond. The article doesn’t include any comment from Fowler or his counsel. However, an earlier article apparently written by the same WLHR reporter and published by the Independent Mail provides a statement from Fowler’s attorney:
“Judge Fowler adamantly denies the charge made against him,” it says. “Judge Fowler has honorably served the citizens of Franklin County as probate judge for nearly sixteen years and has done nothing wrong. When all of the facts come to light, we believe Judge Fowler will be completely exonerated. Judge Fowler is innocent and, although not required by law to prove his innocence, he looks forward to doing so.”
Earlier coverage:
WLHR: “Associate probate judge named in Franklin County”
