Sheriff Clears Deputy of Masterminding PIT for Profit Scheme
Sheriff Mark Crowe says a Bryan County deputy did not organize a scheme to file injury claims tied to on-duty crashes. The statement came after an internal state probe named the deputy as a source for the practice.
Earlier reporting said four Georgia State Patrol troopers were fired. Command staff had found they launched civil claims against drivers whose vehicles they immobilized during chases.
DPS investigation details
The Georgia Department of Public Safety review cited an interview with terminated Trooper Hunter Waters. Waters told investigators he first heard of the practice in 2022 or 2023 from a Bryan County deputy.
According to the report, the deputy gave Waters an attorney’s name, identified as Tina Maddox. Waters then pulled reports of pursuits where he used termination techniques and sent them to that attorney.
Attorney Maddox reportedly sent demand letters to vehicle insurers. The letters claimed personal injuries sustained by Waters during those incidents.
Sheriff Crowe’s account
Crowe told Filmogaz.com he personally spoke with the deputy named in the DPS file. The deputy previously worked in Effingham County and had a single work-related injury claim from that assignment.
The deputy said he mentioned that Effingham County claim to Waters during a dinner conversation. He denied ever saying his case involved PIT maneuvers or offering other injury cases.
Crowe added the deputy told him the troopers conceived the PIT plan on their own. The deputy denied any role in masterminding the scheme.
Records request and next steps
Filmogaz.com filed an open records request with the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office. The county office was closed on Friday, so officials had not yet responded to the request.
Officials fired four troopers and the OPS report remains central to the inquiry. Questions about insurer demands and alleged exploitation of PIT maneuvers continue to unfold.
- Agencies involved: Georgia Department of Public Safety and Georgia State Patrol.
- Named individuals: Trooper Hunter Waters, attorney Tina Maddox, Sheriff Mark Crowe.
- Locations: Bryan County and Effingham County.
- Timeline: Allegations first surfaced in 2022 or 2023; reporting published on Friday.
Local authorities say they will release additional records as reviews continue. Filmogaz.com will provide updates as new information becomes available.
