Georgia Mayor in a Hole After Stealing, Damaging Excavator

The mayor of Nashville, Georgia, found himself in a hole he couldn't dig his way out of after stealing and damaging an excavator.

Local news reports picked up by U.S. News & World Report said Taylor Scarbrough, 57, of Nashville was convicted of theft by conversion, theft by deception, and second-degree criminal damage to property.

A judge then sentenced Scarbrough to six months in jail, to be followed by another nine-and-a-half years on probation, according to court records.

Scarbrough had resigned his post as mayor before he was sentenced.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Scarbrough used James Hobbs' excavator without permission in August 2020 and caused “significant damage” to the machine. Hobbs valued the damage at $12,000.

Hobbs said he was working for Scarbrough and left his excavator on the mayor's land overnight. Hobbs said Scarbrough did not have permission to use the equipment, but Scarborough disputed Hobbs, saying he did have permission.

Source: U.S. News & World Report