SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – State troopers sworn to guard the general public could have used their authority to line their very own pockets. A brand new inner investigation finds GSP troopers filed bogus damage claims after pursuits they initiated — and picked up settlements as much as $25,000 every.
According to an government abstract an inner Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigation, members of Georgia State Patrol’s (GSP) Chatham County-based Nighthawks South unit, in addition to one trooper from Rincon Post 42, filed or tried to file insurance coverage claims in opposition to drivers they pursued, even when the troopers themselves initiated the automobile contact as a part of sanctioned ways such because the Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT maneuver.
The investigation started in January 2026 after Sergeant Zachary Parker, the Assistant Post Commander of Nighthawks South, reported listening to troopers talk about pursuit-related incidents as alternatives to obtain a “check.”
Multiple troopers acquired settlements
Investigators discovered that a number of troopers despatched crash studies to lawyer Tina Maddox, who then issued demand letters to insurance coverage corporations looking for payouts for alleged accidents corresponding to stress, soreness and nervousness.
One trooper, recognized within the report as TFC2 Hunter Waters, acknowledged submitting a number of claims regardless of not reporting accidents on the time of the incidents. Investigators mentioned he acquired three settlements of $25,000 every, netting roughly $50,000 after authorized charges. The report notes the claims concerned “clean” PIT maneuvers with no documented accidents or medical therapy.
Another trooper, TFC1 Tyler Byrd, admitted to submitting greater than a dozen crash studies to Maddox and receiving two settlements. Byrd “agreed that the practice of making claims for termination techniques he initiated against insured, fleeing violators was a way to supplement his salary, much like off-duty employment, and that making money was a reason for his engagement in the practice.”
A 3rd trooper, TFC1 Isaiah Francois, mentioned he anticipated a settlement however couldn’t recall the precise incident tied to the declare. Like the others, he cited emotional misery and nervousness however reported no medical therapy or prior damage documentation.
Demand letters didn’t disclose official duties
The investigation discovered that demand letters despatched on behalf of the troopers have been practically an identical, looking for the minimal insurance coverage coverage restrict of $25,000 and giving insurers 30 days to reply. The letters by no means recognized the claimants as cops, or that the crashes occurred on the job.
SFC Joseph Curlee, a supervisor who was conscious of the follow, took no motion to cease it and even consulted Maddox about submitting a declare of his personal, although it was finally deemed non-payable. Investigators additionally discovered Curlee violated departmental guidelines by permitting discussions concerning the ongoing investigation regardless of a direct order to not.
Policy violations cited
The report concludes that the troopers violated a number of division insurance policies, together with prohibitions on accepting compensation associated to official duties with out authorization, failing to keep away from the looks of conflicts of curiosity and interesting in conduct that might harm the company’s status.
Investigators emphasised that whereas accidents throughout pursuits can justify authentic claims, it’s “extremely unusual” for officers to systematically submit studies to an lawyer to establish potential payouts, particularly when most incidents concerned no accidents.
The report warned the conduct dangers a dangerous notion: that troopers used pursuit ways for revenue, not public security.
All 4 troopers have been fired.
WTOC Investigates reached out to DPS for remark. A spokesperson despatched a press release, saying the company holds its workers to a excessive normal.
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council data don’t but replicate the firing of the troopers, however they do present Curlee is now working on the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.
WTOC Investigates reached out to Maddox for remark, however now we have not heard again.
We reached out to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to search out out whether or not the company is investigating. A spokesperson says the company has not been requested right now.
