Officials with the University of Georgia confirmed Wednesday evening that Hall County Extension Coordinator Michael Wheeler has been terminated from his job.
While officials from the Marketing & Communications Department declined to discuss specific information about Wheeler's firing, the UGA Police Department released an incident report that confirmed investigators had visited Wheeler's Office last week to check out reports that Wheeler had been using cocaine at the UGA Extension Office on East Crescent Drive in Gainesville.
The incident report said investigators went to the office on Oct. 27 to investigate the reports. A Hall County Sheriff's Office deputy was already on site and had collected evidence from Wheeler's office, including a piece of paper rolled into a straw, two nametags belonging to Wheeler and brown paper towels that appeared to contain white powder residue. All of the items were located on Wheeler's desk.
The investigating officer said he took the items of evidence and then processed the scene further.
"During the process of examining the scene, I field tested a small amount of white powder located in the top desk drawer of Mr. Wheeler's desk," the report read. "This powder tested positive for cocaine."
The report noted there was not enough of the drug in the drawer to collect additional samples for further testing. Testing of the other items on Wheeler's desk for cocaine residue was negative, according to the report. The police report said there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges in the case.
The report also stated at the time of the investigation on Friday, UGA District Director Judy Ashley was present in the Hall County office. She presented Wheeler with an administrative suspension letter and asked for Wheeler's office keys, according to the report.
Wheeler, a native of Hall County, had served as extension coordinator for Hall County since April 1, 2011. Prior to that, he was extension coordinator for Gilmer County for nine years.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/11/600285/hall-county-extension-coordinator-fired-for-suspected-drug-use-on-the-job