Atlanta Journal-Constitution: “The director of the Georgia Forestry Commission resigned after being arrested on shoplifting charges this summer. Chuck Williams is accused of misdemeanor shoplifting from an Ace Hardware Store in Gray in August, something he told local police he does ‘for the thrill.’ The Athens Banner-Herald first reported Williams’ arrest on Monday.”
“Williams, whose salary as commission director was $165,000, was arrested Aug. 13 and sent his resignation letter to Gov. Brian Kemp the next day. Kemp appointed Gary White as the interim director. According to a Gray Police Department incident report, surveillance cameras caught Williams on Aug. 12 — wearing his Forestry Commission uniform — pulling a $54.99 price tag off a saw and placing it on a Silky Sugoi saw, which cost $109.99. Williams then paid for the saw at the lower price, using his Ace rewards and credit cards, and left the store in a marked Forestry Commission car, police said. Store staff noticed the missing saw, called police and, using footage from surveillance cameras and credit card information, identified Williams.”