Lincoln County, GA – A member of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners has resigned and entered a guilty plea in relation to charges of child cruelty.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reported that Cooper Cliatt, a local businessman and commissioner, admitted guilt in Lincoln County Court after being taken into custody by the GBI. This comes after the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office requested an investigation into allegations of child molestation involving Cliatt, whose full name is Hartwell Cooper Cliatt, back in May 2024.
The investigation’s findings were subsequently passed on to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia for further action.
On January 27, 2025, a Lincoln County Grand Jury indicted Cliatt on two counts of child molestation. Following the indictment, Cliatt surrendered to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office the next day. He was later released on a $50,000 bond.
January 27th, 2025, Cliatt was indicted by a Lincoln County Grand Jury on two counts of child molestation. Cliatt turned himself in to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office the following day and later released on a $50,000.00 bond.
According to the GBI, Cliatt pleaded down to Child Cruelty and was sentenced to 10 years probation.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners Office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Cliatt turned in his resignation from the board Monday morning, June 15th, citing his age, 80-years-old, and a need to spend time with family.
He had continued serving on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners since his January 2025 arrest.