GBI Arrests Unadilla Downtown Development Authority Chairman for Theft

Unadilla, GA (December 30, 2020) – On Wednesday, December 30, 2020, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Unadilla Downtown Development Authority Chairman Bobby West, 59, of Unadilla, for Theft by Taking and Theft by Conversion. West was booked into the Dooly County Jail.  

On February 5, 2020, the GBI Region 13 Office was requested by Dooly County Sheriff Craig Peavy to investigate funds being stolen from the Unadilla Downtown Development Authority. A full financial audit was to be conducted by an independent auditor to determine the amount of funds missing from the Downtown Development Authority. 

On November 18, 2020, the completed audit was presented to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation from the independent auditor. The audit confirmed in excess of $30,000.00 was taken from the Development Authority between January 1, 2016 and January 15, 2020 by West. West was appointed as Chairman of the Downtown Development Authority in January 2016. Prior to his appointment as Chairman, West served as the Mayor of Unadilla from January 2012 to December 2015.