'These are the actions of a person feeling scorned': Sias its affair, says misconduct allegations are retaliation

Friday, July 26, 2019

News 12 at 6 O'Clock/NBC at 7

AUGUSTA, GA (WRDW/WAGT) -- Augusta-Richmond County Commissioner Sammie Sias has itted that a two-decade-long affair with a former employee has embarrassed him.

In a 3 p.m. news conference, Sias itted the affair and apologized for his actions.

"First and foremost, I must apologize to my wife, my family, and my ers for their exposure to this situation," Sias said.

Sias then went on to say that he had been having a "consensual" affair with the former employee for 20 years that had ended in September 2018.

"Although we tried, we were unable to part peacefully and move forward with our lives independently," Sias said.

Sias has maintained his innocence against those allegations, saying they existed to attack his character and "destroy critical resources" used by the community.

"These are the actions of a person feeling scorned," Sias said.

Sias went on to refute every accusation against him, specifically the child abuse allegations.

"In our camper program, I have never abused a child and I never will," Sias said. "I have never abused an adult. We have kids that come to our camp and our program nearly all their lives as youngsters. Parents have great confidence and trust in bringing their kids to us."

Sias continued "against the advice of [his] attorney" and took questions from the assembled of the media.

Sias was immediately asked about a potential investigation against him, to which he said he had nothing to hide.

"If there's any type of investigation, let's do that. We don't have a problem with an investigation," Sias said.

As far any investigations, we checked with the GBI, the sheriff's office, and the district attorney. Right now, there is no criminal investigation.