Digmon facing impeachment

The same grand jury that indicted District 6 Escambia County (Ala.) School Board Member Sherry Digmon on three felony charges also filed a report stating Digmon should be impeached and removed from office.

The grand jury indicted Digmon, 72, owner of the Atmore News and Atmore Magazine, on felony charges of revealing secret grand jury information. She was also indicted by the grand jury for using her position as a school board member for personal gain, for the school system paying for advertising in her newspaper and/or magazine and Digmon voting to pay the bills.

A reporter for the Atmore News, Don Fletcher, 69, along with school board employee Veronica Ashley Fore, were also indicted and arrested for revealing grand jury information.

Digmon, Fore and Fletcher were originally released from jail on $10,000 bond each for revealing grand jury information. Digmon was then charged with the ethics violation and released on $100,000.

Brewton Attorney Earnie White, who represents Digmon, said he felt District Attorney Steve Billy had some revenge for Digmon voting to not renew the contract of Escambia County School Superintendent Michele McClung, who White said Billy supported.

McClung's renewal contract has been rejected twice by the school board with Digmon, Cindy Jackson, Loumeek White and Kevin Hoomes voted against the renewal. Board members Danny Benjamin, Mike Edwards and Coleman Wallace voting to renew her contract.

"If Mrs. McClung's contract had been renewed, we wouldn't be here," White said.

Billy would not confirm or deny if any other indictments or arrests were forthcoming. He would only say, "It's an ongoing investigation."

During an October school board meeting Billy said McClung had been under some vicious attacks and noted the audit came back clean.

"I don't control much in Escambia County, Alabama, but I do control a grand jury of this county and I can tell you, this lady right here (McClung) is not going to be brought before a grand jury because there is nothing to bring before a grand jury. But there are some other matters that will be be brought before a grand jury that I am not at liberty to discuss. By law, that's a secret investigation."

Escambia County Circuit Judges Jeff White and Todd Stearns, along with District Judge Eric Coale have recused themselves from hearing any cases or making rulings concerning Digmon, Fletcher or Fore.

Tom Parker, chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, has appointed retired Autauga County Circuit Judge Ben A. Fuller to preside over any trials or make other decisions in those cases.

As of press time Wednesday, no trial date had been set concerning the impeachment of Digmon from the school board.