Newton County commissioners found not guilty of money laundering charges but face retrial
Two suspended Newton County commissioners, including the board's chair, were found not guilty on Wednesday of several money laundering charges in federal court related to a real estate deal. However, their legal troubles are not finished. A jury deadlocked on additional counts against Commission Chair Marcello Banes and District 3 Commissioner Stephanie Lindsey, leading to a mistrial. They are set to face retrials on the unresolved charges. For Lindsey, the charges include making and subscribing to a false tax return, while for Banes, they involve wire fraud and theft of government funds. The case has garnered attention due to the implications of public trust and the integrity of local governance. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia has indicated that further proceedings will occur. The commissioners were previously suspended amid allegations of wrongdoing, but the recent verdicts have cleared them of some charges. The community continues to watch closely as the legal process unfolds.
