Aren't wetlands the primary source of the methane that produces most of the "greenhouse gases"? I wonder if Krouse will face EPA charges too?
The attorneys involved in the criminal case against an Augusta real estate appraiser say they are ready for trial and just need a date.
Ashby Krouse, the son-in-law of former state Sen. Don Cheeks, was indicted almost 10 months ago on charges of first-degree forgery and making false statements and writings. He has pleaded not guilty.
The criminal charges are related to a land deal with the state of Georgia that netted Mr. Krouse and his wife a $240,850 profit.
The prosecutors are ready to go forward and have been ready since a trial date was first set in September, said Russ Willard, the spokesman for the state's Attorney General's office.
The case was postponed last fall when Mr. Krouse hired a second attorney, the nephew of the judge assigned to the case, Judge James G. Blanchard Jr., who recused himself.
With the recusal of several other judges, Mr. Krouse's case landed with Chief Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet, according to Richmond County Superior Court records.
Judge Overstreet said this week that he will soon set a date for Mr. Krouse's bench trial. He just needs to find the time in his schedule.
Mr. Krouse waived his right to a jury trial. Judge Overstreet will sit as judge and jury for his case.
Defense attorney Pete Theodocion said he is ready for trial, although the case appears to be "much to do about nothing."
According to the indictment, Mr. Krouse is accused of forging an Aug. 25, 2005, letter that was presented to Augusta officials. It requested a reduction in the tax assessor's valuation of a 98-acre tract along the border of Burke and Richmond counties.
Mr. Krouse purchased the property for $25,000 in 2002. He sold it to the state for $265,850 two years later.
The land was purchased for use of public wetlands in connection with the construction work on U.S. Highway 25.
At the time Mr. Krouse bought the land, his father-in-law was a member of the Georgia Senate's Transportation and Appropriations committees.
Mr. Krouse, who has served on the city's planning commission since 1998, is free on bond.
His appraisal license was revoked by the Georgia Real Estate Appraiser Board last fall, based on the circumstances that led to the criminal case against him.
However, Mr. Krouse is still licensed to work as a real estate appraiser in South Carolina, according to the state's licensing Web page.
He was previously sanctioned by Georgia's Real Estate Commission for failing to disclose his role as a buyer and seller in a deal that netted a $50,000 profit.
Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.
THE BACK STORY
An investigation by The Augusta Chronicle in 2005 brought to light a land deal that netted veteran Augusta real estate appraiser Ashby Krouse a $240,850 profit from the state of Georgia.
The state's Attorney General's office followed The Chronicle's investigation with its own. Last year, Mr. Krouse, the son-in-law of former state Sen. Don Cheeks, was indicted on several criminal charges in connection with the land deal.
Comments
Aren't wetlands the primary source of the methane that produces most of the "greenhouse gases"? I wonder if Krouse will face EPA charges too?
Now I wonder why Mr Krouse and his team manipulated the system until they wound up with Judge Overstreet? Some things appear pretty obvious. I predict a win for Krouse, or a loss he can live with.
The preservation of wetlands is protected and encouraged by the EPA. How is there any connection between wetlands producing methne gases and Krouse being in trouble with the EPA? Yes, he is snapping up possible wetlands to somehow produce methane gas to make a profit. I can't even find the leap. Someone help me with it.
Maybe he wanted to build a dragstrip..
Seems to me there should be at least two others being tried in this case. The person that setup the deal with the state DOT person to buy the property and the county appraiser that modified the appraisal of the property. More crooks in this caper. For what he'll receive from this trial it is probably a waste of taxpayer's money to even try him. A person stealing a $25 dollar item from WalMart would already be sentenced and serving a long prison sentence.
Is Overstreet running for re-election in 2008? If so, there will be no decision until after November.
Purchased land for $250 an acre? A quarter million dollar profit? Connections with the Transportation and Appropriations Committee? Nobody is being fooled -- it's just sad when one goes to jail for stealing "minimal" property from another, but standards change when these THIEVES steal from everyone!
Who was the second lawyer he hired that was the judges nephew? Why would a reporter write that and not even find out who the lawyer was?
Getalife, $25 item from walmart leads to prison? In what world are you living in? You cant even go to prison for a misdemeanor and you would only spend about 12 hours in JAIL or less depending on how long it took you to bond out.
He's not going to jail. He will pay some fines and get probation. Our justice system you gotta love it.
double standard I do not know who you are talking to with that comment but it does not respond to my comment. Anyway why would you want a non-violent offender to go to prison and take up a bedspace of a rapist, murderer or sex offender? Logic these days seems to be long gone.
Crime is crime. Charles Walker did the crime now he's doing the time. What makes Krouse different. Stop being so sensitive if I started my comment with different view then I would be talking to you.
They hired the nephew of the judge to delay the trial and get a new judge. They pulled it off and got DUM DUM OVERSTREET he will find him not guilty and award him him another $240.000 for mental anguish. Do you not just love the way Politicians make political moves with DUM [filtered word] judges right in front of you. Don Cheeks you are a piece of work
if you check past history with don cheeks and land deals, you will find that state senator cheeks made a small fortune, in the same manner. i remember a piece of property on wheeler road near I-20 that cheeks wife owned, which was also a conflict of interest situation. those in the legislature in atlanta, especially the transportation committee, have an inside track to where a major thoroughfare will go. there should be jail time for insider trading of real estate, just as insider trading on the stock market. martha stewart went to prison for lying to an investigator when she acted on inside info to sell a stock position. krouse, if guilty, should receive a long sentence in prison to send a message to other politicians and family members, who wish to enrich themselves. remember harold tiller who bilked richmond county to the tune of a million or so, with the sale to the county of his flood plain property on skinner mill road? this type of criminal activity will not stop until there are very serious consequences!
Difference in Charles Walker and this case is Walker was in federal court but of course you would know that and understand all the legality issues surrounding that already double standard
different view..Yes, it is different. What an unusual way of looking at crime. Friend or family, perhaps?
The public should all have had enough of these "white collar" crimes. These crooks use their political contacts to cheat others..bah-hum-buggg! ALL involved should be charged.
Whew, I got that off my chest. :)
I am with you on this one DANI. Must be a family member or friend. Federal or State, it is still a crime.
Yes different view I know that. But you protect this guy and he's a criminal. I wonder if it was the son in law of Marion Williams would go this smoothly.
all you crybabies grab a towel...if you were in ashby's shoes you'd do the same thing.if the state wanted the land, so be it , they bought it eyes wide open.what went on here was no different than the i-20 deals in the 60's...why do you think it 's called carl sanders memorial highway????
if you were in ashby's shoes you'd pull all the stops to get things worked out the same as he is doing...you would be stupid not to. it's the legal system-use it or it will use you !
btw , i've known ashby since we played biddy basketball at age twelve...he's a good man.
playlike..This is a case pf "play like" I assume. 'Let's play like this was an okay deal'. It is not ok, it is a rotten deal.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
