Grovetown apologizes to former judge

Grovetown officials issued a public apology to the city's former Municipal Court judge Monday.

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The apology was in response to recent comments by City Councilman Robert Newman about Judge Peter Johnson and his May 4 resignation.

"I would like to make a public apology to Judge Johnson at this time," Mayor George James said at Monday's City Council meeting.

"I want it to be known that Judge Johnson was never put on probation by the city of Grovetown. Judge Johnson resigned on his own accord," he said.

City officials had met in a closed session in January and issued a letter to Johnson. The letter stated that city officials were unhappy with his performance, which would be re-evaluated at a later date.

Newman said it had been his impression that Johnson had been placed on probation.

"I did not mean for it to be a personal attack on him," Newman said. "I stated the facts, and I apologize if it caused him any harm or he thought it did."

City officials have discussed their disappointment with Johnson's performance in a few meetings this year, including during an April retreat.

Associate Judge John Flythe is filling in while the council searches for Johnson's replacement.

Johnson has not returned phone messages seeking comment.