Cobb County alleged to have used taxpayer money to oppose the DA’s pension

COBB COUNTY, Ga.

A prolonged legal dispute regarding pension payments for the Cobb County district attorney has unfolded in court, with lawyers debating whether the county is required to provide severance and additional compensation.

Two primary issues are at stake: whether District Attorney Sonya Allen qualifies for a pension and if the county must pay her extra supplemental funds.

In a courtroom in Douglas County, Allen’s attorney, former Georgia Governor Roy Burns, contended that the county owes her money because the district attorney’s salary comes from state funds rather than the county.

Burns expressed to the court, “It’s not right, it’s not legal.”

He pointed out that the county has allegedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars challenging Allen’s pension eligibility throughout his three decades of service.

“The county spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to say she couldn’t serve her 30 years; she just had to wait it out,” Burns claimed.

Cobb County Attorney Harold Melton responded by arguing that Allen should not be entitled to both benefits and that she should have been aware of the pension limits.

“The moratorium was enacted in January 2000,” Melton noted. “When she took the prosecutor’s office, all of that was clearly established, and she adhered to it.”

In reply, Burns pointed out that the suspension provision was not included in the plan when Allen first became eligible for her pension.

“That was not part of the plan at the time she gained the right to a pension,” Burns stated.

During the hearing, the judge inquired about additional payments that Allen has yet to receive.

“There are supplements she’s not taking. What do you think about that, Mr. Melton?” the judge asked.

Melton responded by mentioning that there had been discussions via email regarding an offer for Allen to amend documents necessary to move forward with the payment.

After the proceedings wrapped up, Allen’s attorney returned to clarify supplementary concerns, indicating that the county might not be firmly committed to previous statements made.