Cobb County Clerk Indicted for Destruction of Public Records

News Summary

Cobb County Clerk of Court Connie Taylor has been indicted on multiple counts, including Destruction of Public Records and Violation of Oath of Office. The Grand Jury’s decision follows an investigation into allegations that Taylor ordered the deletion of government emails and financial records related to passport fees. The inquiry began after a whistleblower complaint and led to a broader discussion on transparency in handling public funds. The case is being monitored by the Georgia Attorney General’s Office following the recusal of the Cobb District Attorney’s Office.

Cobb County, Georgia – Cobb County Clerk of Court Connie Taylor was indicted by a Cobb County Grand Jury on July 31, 2025, on two counts of Destruction of Public Records and two counts of Violation of Oath of Office. The indictment follows an investigation prompted by a whistleblower complaint regarding Taylor’s handling of public documents.

The inquiry into Taylor’s actions began in November 2022 after allegations surfaced, leading the Chief Judge of Cobb County Superior Court to request an investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The accusations specifically involve the destruction of public documents tied to passport fee collections, which came to light following an open records request by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Upon completion of its investigation, the GBI submitted its findings to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office for review on March 14, 2024. Reports indicate that Taylor allegedly instructed employees to delete government emails and financial records that pertain to the collections of passport fees.

Connie Taylor first took office as Cobb County’s Clerk of Superior Court in 2020 after defeating a Republican incumbent. During her term, she reportedly accumulated over $425,000 in passport fees, which Georgia law allows superior court clerks to retain as supplemental income.

In 2024, a state senator introduced Senate Bill 19, which mandated that clerks disclose the revenue generated from passport fees. This bill was signed into law, becoming effective in January 2025, highlighting the growing emphasis on transparency in the handling of public funds.

Due to the conflict of interest, the Cobb District Attorney’s Office has recused itself from this case, transferring oversight responsibilities to the Georgia Attorney General’s Office. In response to the indictment, the Cobb County government reaffirmed its commitment to provide efficient services and maintain normal operations, regardless of the legal proceedings against Taylor.

Details of the allegations suggest intentional misconduct on Taylor’s part, particularly as she is accused of ordering the deletion of specific records, including files documenting passport service fees. GBI Director Chris Hosey noted that such intentional destruction of public records undermines transparency and public trust in government operations.

Attorney General Chris Carr emphasized the importance of honesty and transparency from elected officials, reiterating the seriousness of the charges Taylor faces. Despite the gravity of the situation, Taylor has not publicly commented regarding her indictment and continues to work in her office.

According to Taylor’s chief operating officer, the operations of the office remain unaffected by the indictment, indicating that the office is functioning as usual. As the case proceeds, both the legal ramifications and the effects on public trust in the Cobb County government continue to unfold.

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