The Richmond County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is expected to release a statement regarding the special grand jury report sometime today. Local officials say they are waiting on approval from the state office.

The Richmond County special grand jury, as part of its 124-page presentment released Tuesday, accused Chief Few of using race to further his personal agenda and to label the special grand jury as part of a "racist plot" to bring him down.

Individual opinions from some minority politicians and members of the black community suggest mistrust of the special grand jury's investigation.

"Is this a game? Is this a political game?" asked Quincy Robertson, a former Paine College administrator who follows city politics. "It seems there's more to it than what's being displayed. I want to know why, what and who's behind it. It's got to be political, and I think somebody needs to find out and investigate what's going on."

Mr. Robertson said the special grand jury already has tried and convicted Chief Few in the newspapers and on television.

"I would like to see this thing decided in court, not in the streets, not in the newspapers and not on TV," Mr. Robertson said. "The man is innocent until proven guilty."

Deputy Fire Chief Carl Scott, who also was blasted in the report for practicing favoritism and pandering to elected officials, said Tuesday he planned to wait until next week to comment. But when asked, he said he agreed with the sentiment of some that the report was "unfair" and "personal."

When the special grand jury was impaneled 31 months ago, officials touted it as racially and socially balanced. It consisted of five black women, five white women, nine white men and four black men.

Since then, some jurors have not been as active, said District Attorney Danny Craig. The latest report had only 15 signatures: nine women - five white and four black - and six men - five white and one black. Overall, the number of black members had dropped from about 40 percent to about 33 percent.

Mayor Bob Young says those using race to dismiss the claims of the special grand jury are looking for an excuse.

Mr. Young said he already has drafted an ordinance that would give the city administrator hiring and firing power. He plans to ask Augusta Commission to approve it in hopes of avoiding future instances of political cronyism.

"The only color involved in this is green and the greed of certain individuals," Mr. Young said. "People who do not have any facts to argue will argue race. Ronnie Few and others in this report did a disservice, not only to this government, but to the taxpayers."

Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215 or heidi.williams@augustachronicle.com.