A Richmond County investigator, who was fired after lying about an improper relationship with a supervisor, claims she was untruthful because of a previous sexual assault at the agency.
Allison Walker told an appeal panel that she was a recruit four years ago when another RCSO supervisor sexually assaulted her. She said it took place inside a building at the sheriff’s office, and the supervisor threatened to ruin her if she told anyone.
Her surprising accusation was spelled out Monday in front of the Sheriff Merit Board, where she asked the panel for a lesser punishment than termination. But the board eventually upheld Sheriff Richard Roundtree’s decision to fire her for lying.
Internal Affairs Sgt. John Perry said she never brought up any previous sexual assault when questioned three times.
In an opening statement, Walker spelled out her claim without naming the previous supervisor.
SEE THE ENTIRE HEARING HERE:
“About four years ago, while at the RCSO, as a recruit, I was sexually assaulted by a Richmond County Sheriff’s Office supervisor,” she said, reading from a prepared statement. “I could not believe what had just happened. The supervisor without any hesitation, with full confidence, proceeded to threaten me when he told me he would have my career if I reported the assault.”
Walker said the supervisor warned her she would never get promoted or go to any school if she told anyone.
“I was terrified because he knew where I lived. After the assault occurred, I ran out of the office crying. I left with the trauma memory of a supervisor sexually assaulting me and ordering me not to tell the truth, or else,” she said.
The harassment continued with text messages and reminders that “he owned me,” Walker said.
“He even used his relationship with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office colonel – who said was like a father to him – as a weapon and as a means to intimidate me. He stated that his relationship with the colonel allowed him to do whatever he wanted,” she said.
Walker said the colonel was demoted for reasons that are similar in nature to her claims. She worked at the sheriff’s office for a few years before signing up to interview for the Criminal Investigative Division. That’s when CID Capt. Brandon Beckman texted her, she said.
“I thought it was weird and it made me uncomfortable at first,” Walker said. “I asked someone if they thought it was weird … and they said no. It is good that he is showing an interest in you.”
The harassment continued with Capt. Beckman texting her from multiple phones, even as she ignored him. In one case, she claims the captain drove by her home because she would not message him.
“Capt. Beckman was flipping around on me when I would tell him that he was making me uncomfortable,” she said.
Walker said the trauma from her past sexual assault resurfaced. It made her think her career and chances of being promoted to CID were at risk.
“Another supervisor had control over me and my career,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do.”
Then, after being promoted to CID investigator, she was called to Internal Affairs over concerns about an inappropriate relationship with Capt. Beckman. She called the captain to see if he had heard anything. She said he ordered her not to tell the truth if the questions were about them.
“Once again, the trauma from the past, which I had never been treated for, had shown its ugly face again,” she said.
“Yes, it is true that I was not truthful to Internal Affairs in the beginning. Why did I lie? Because I feared for my career and once again was ordered by a supervisor to not tell the truth, just like how my career started with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office,” Walker said. “I feared that if I told the truth that my career in life would be disrupted by Capt. Beckman. So this went against my integrity, so after a second interview, I called Internal Affairs crying, saying I can’t do this anymore. And I wanted to tell them the truth, but I hung up the phone.”
She said on a third interview, she finally told the truth because it was eating her alive. She claims Internal Affairs Sgt. Walter McNeil told her that since she told the truth, she would be fine. But she was terminated the following week. Capt. Beckman was also previously terminated for lying about the sexual relationship.
Walker said she had never been disciplined during her time at the agency, something she asked the panel to consider in her appeal.
“I know I need counseling and other resources to help me heal with my trauma,” she said. “I would also like for you to consider other remedies than termination, which confirms the threat by those who victimized me.”
Augusta Senior Staff Attorney Zena McClain-Haymon, who conducted the hearing, called Internal Affairs Sgt. John Perry, Col. Calvin Chew and Chief Deputy Pat Clayton as witnesses during Monday’s hearing.
The witnesses said Walker twice denied an inappropriate relationship with Capt. Beckman except “a peck on the lips” during her second interview. They also said she never made any claims of previous sexual assaults or harassment.
“She was given every opportunity to give a reason why or to say she was under pressure,” McClain-Haymon told the merit board. “None of that was mentioned during the interview.”
Sgt. Perry said the relationship came to light when two other employees in the investigative division wrote a statement about their concerns. Walker was reminded that as a condition of her employment, she was required to cooperate and be truthful.
She only confessed after Capt. Beckman showed signs of deception in his interview and Walker was about to be given the lie-detector test, Sgt. Perry said.
“She made some statements about being assaulted in the past, but that was in reference to why she couldn’t remember some names,” the sergeant said.
Col. Chew said integrity is key for law enforcement officers.
“I would tell that to all of our employees: The easiest way to get terminated from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office is to not be truthful,” he said. “If you are not truthful, the community now doesn’t trust you. … You also can’t testify, because this is going to be brought up every time.”
During his testimony, Chief Clayton reiterated the importance of officers telling the truth during Internal Affairs investigations.
“If you are a documented untruth-teller, then they are not really likely to listen to you on juries and boards,” he said.
Before the panel made their decision Monday, Walker reminded the panel that her sexual contact with Capt. Beckman was over a year ago. “It was never when he was my direct supervisor,” she said.
The board upheld the sheriff’s termination and wished Walker well.
In an unrelated case, Sgt. Aunarey Herbert and Cpl. Melissa Allen were demoted to deputies for inappropriate conduct. They were suspended for five days, according to authorities.
Both of them were recorded on dispatch audio having sex while on duty in a patrol car.
