A Dahlonega man has been charged with felony theft of trade secrets after allegedly stealing proprietary information worth more than $14 million from his former employer.
Benjamin Clayton Toombs (Gainesville PD)
Benjamin Clayton Toombs, 60, is accused of taking intellectual property containing exclusive trade secrets from a Gainesville-based business.
The Gainesville Police Department says Toombs ended his employment with the Gainesville business, which was not publicly named, at which point electronic data alerted authorities to the theft.
Toombs was arrested and booked at the Hall County Jail. The case remains under investigation.
Court cases are proceeding slowly against four defendants charged in connection to the murder of a Mountain City, Georgia, woman.
Chris Shields, Jessica Smith, Andrew McCrackin, and Lenore Wilson were all scheduled to appear in Macon County Superior Court in Franklin, North Carolina, this week. All four of the defendants have been granted continuances until June.
All four are charged in relation to the May 2022 shooting death of Tina Walkingstick Friszell.
An administrative hearing was scheduled Monday, March 24, for Chris Shields. However, he and his attorney were not in court. According to sources close to the case, Shields could not be transported to court due to security protocols at Central Prison in Raleigh.
His case was continued. Another administrative hearing is scheduled for him in June of this year.
Smith and Wilson were supposed to appear in court on Tuesday of this week. On Monday, Smith was granted a continuance until June. She bonded out of jail in September 2022 after her bond was reduced.
Court was cancelled for Tuesday, March 25, forcing Wilson’s hearing to be moved to Friday.
On Friday, Wilson and McCrackin were both scheduled to have administrative hearings but both defendants were granted a continuance in their cases until June as well. None of the defendants appeared in court.
Tina Walkingstick Frizsell
Shields could face the death penalty once the case goes to trial. In addition to capital murder, authorities charged him with destroying human remains, felony conspiracy to commit murder, concealing a death, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to prosecutors, Shields shot Frizsell to death in a shed at his residence on South Tryphosa Road in Otto, North Carolina.
The mother of two was killed the day before her 43rd birthday.
Smith is charged with concealing a death, destroying a body, felony conspiracy to commit murder, and as accessories after the fact. Smith is accused of helping to move and burn Frizsell’s body to conceal her death.
22 year old Angela Ledford was murdered by Keegan Phillips in August 2023. (Samantha White post on legacy.com)
Wilson is charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping. The charges stem from her alleged refusal to allow Frizsell and Angie Ledford to leave the shed where the murder took place when they had an opportunity. Ledford was an eyewitness to the Frizsell murder.
Ledford was murdered 14 months later in Clayton, GA in August 2023. Her killer, Keegan Phillips, recently accepted a plea deal from the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Phillips will serve a life sentence plus six years.
McCrackin is charged with concealing a death, destroying a body, felony conspiracy to commit murder, and as accessories after the fact. He is accused of helping to move and burn Frizsell’s body to conceal her death. The same charges as Smith.
As the case begins to move forward, the four defendants could go on trial later this year.
Andrew David Sheridan, affectionately known as “Andy,” was born on August 12, 1976, in Gainesville and passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at the age of 48. A devoted mechanic for Gerrin Automotive & Welding, Andy not only pursued a career that showcased his passion for working on cars but also found joy in riding his motorcycle. He was of the Baptist faith.
Andy is survived by his mother, Sheila Whitmire Roberts; his brother and sister-in-law, James “Jamie” Odos Sheridan and Sheree; and his half-sister, Heather Sheridan; his niece, Whitney McCarty, and nephews, Tyler Sheridan and Parker Sheridan; his great nieces and nephew, Willow Ann McCarty, River Mae McCarty, Amelia Sheridan, and Bennett Sheridan; and his grandparents, Pat and Barbara Westmoreland.
Preceding him in death were his father, Melvin Sheridan, and his grandparents, Odos and Wilma Sheridan.
Andy’s services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Rock Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Rice officiating. The visitation will begin at 2:00 PM and conclude at 3:00 PM, prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home, P.O. Box 725, Cornelia, Georgia 30531, to assist the family with final expenses.
Pamela Jean Brown, born on February 23, 1954, in Harlen County, Kentucky, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 27, 2025. She resided most of her life in Georgia and was a cherished member of her community. Pam was known for her radiant smile that had the power to light up any room she entered. Her conversations often reflected her deep faith, as she frequently spoke about the Bible and the love she held for the Lord.
Throughout her life, Pam found joy in singing and cherished the time spent with her family, particularly with her beloved sisters. Her devotion to her family was evident, and she took immense pride in the numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who enriched her life.
Pam is survived by her son, Preston Brown and Paulette Hampton; her sisters Carolyn Moore, Janice Graham and her husband Johnny, Hazel Gilleland, and Judy Masters; along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews who will carry forward her legacy of love and warmth. A special thanks to God’s special angel, Tracie Sertain for the loving care provided to Pam.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gus and Letha Howard; her husband, Robert Brown; her son, Waylon Brown; her daughter, Bridget Brown; her sister, Barbara Little; her brother, James Howard; and brothers-in-law, Claude Moore and Stan Gilleland.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Paul Church, 14 Martins Ford Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533, on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 3:00 PM, with Pastor David Bost officiating.
Pam’s spirit will be remembered fondly by all who knew her, and her light will continue to shine through the lives she touched.
2025 Teacher of the Year Candace Carver and the 2025 Support Person of the Year Ashley Webb. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
The Habersham County School District named its 2025 Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year at a banquet Thursday evening. Candace Carver, a teacher/facilitator at the Success Academy, received the Teacher of the Year award. Ashley Webb, a special education administrative assistant at the Central Office was named Support Person of the Year.
Approximately 150 people attended the TOTY and SPOTY banquet Thursday evening, held at Habersham Central High School. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
The school district celebrated Carver, Webb, and 29 other honorees during the March 27 banquet at Habersham Central High School in Mt. Airy. One hundred fifty educators, support staff, and family members attended the event.
“This is truly a surprise. There were so many wonderful people on this list“, Carver said after receiving the award. She has been a part of the Habersham County School System for the last nine years. “I am so thankful to be a part of this community, this school, and the team that we have. This is a blessing”
“I am honored,” Webb said after receiving the award. She has been with the school system for nine years as well. “My entire purpose in my role is to support. That’s what I am here for is to support our teachers, our students, our families, and the community.”
Each nominee from each school and department received a metal washtub “basket” of goodies.
Other honorees
At Thursday night’s banquet, the district recognized the other teachers and support personnel honored this year for their job performance and dedication.
A group photo of all nominees for Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year for 2025. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
Each of the 14 public schools in the county selected a Teacher and Support Person of the Year. The technology and transportation departments and Central Office also recognized their support personnel. A panel selected Carver and Webb for the districtwide honors from among these 31 honorees:
Baldwin Elementary – Janet Green and Sydney Tench
Clarkesville Elementary – Breanna Squires and Rosa Mora
Cornelia Elementary – Sheila Edwards and Tracy Thompson
Demorest Elementary – Amy Butterworth and Marina Gonzalez
Fairview Elementary – Christina Beck and Melanie Igarashi
Hazel Grove Elementary – Sherry Savage and Shana Tanksley
Level Grove Elementary – Bethany Jimison and Jade Ramey
Woodville Elementary – Amy Wroblewski and Jackie Cane
Hilliard Wilbanks Middle School – Jasmine Smith and Whitney Anderson
North Habersham Middle School – Stephanie Carder and Paula Kimbrell
South Habersham Middle School – BJ Sutton and Amanda Rudeseal
Habersham Ninth Grade Academy – Melinda Wallace and Jessalan Smith
Success Academy – Candace Carver and Brandi Kimbrell
Habersham Central High School – Kalee Solomon and Donna Fleming
Transportation Dept. – Mitch Tauton
Support Services-Kim Bradley
Central Office – Ashley Webb
Members of the community listen as GDOT officials talk road projects in Habersham County (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
Over 50 people attended a Partnership Habersham-hosted meeting at North Georgia Technical College Wednesday, March 26 – when residents and local leaders saw a list of GDOT’s current and future road plans for the county, their impact on transportation and raised questions about areas where future improvements are needed going forward.
Justin Lott, a pre-construction engineer with Georgia’s Department of Transportation, unveiled over 19 projects that aim to upgrade infrastructure and account for growth expected in Habersham in the coming years.
During a presentation, Lott outlined a combination of projects such as roundabouts, bridge replacements and RCUTs.
RCUTs have now installed at Alto-Mud Creek Road and other roads at GA 365 (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
An RCUT, also referred to as a J-Turn, is an intersection design believed to reduce crashes by changing the pattern traffic crosses or turns left at major roadways, according to GDOT, thus reducing the potential for conflict with other vehicles.
Recently completed RCUTs along GA 365 in Habersham include the new patterns at Yonah Post Road, Alto-Mud Creek Road and Mt. Zion Road.
According to Lott, before the end of the year, $4.3 million in new RCUTs are planned at Luthi Road, Charlie Davis Road, LC Turner Road, Double Bridge Road, Hazel Creek Road, Hulsey/Jess Kinney Road, Rock Road, U.S. 23/U.S. 441/SR 15 at Antioch Church Road, Wilbanks and Cody roads, as well as a new U-Turn between Mt Zion Road and Crane Mill Road.
With a majority of RCUTs planned around Baldwin, city officials have long been vocal skeptics of the new patterns.
In an interview with Now Habersham after the meeting, Baldwin Mayor Stephanie Almagno questioned the effectiveness of RCUTs, which GDOT officials insist make for safer roadways through the reduction of collision points.
RCUTs, while well-intended, have posed a challenge to the city’s first responders, who are now tasked with navigating RCUT patterns instead of traveling straight across the road.
Baldwin Mayor Stephanie Almagno
This, according to Almagno, creates delayed response times in the event of emergencies.
“It doesn’t take into account practical use of the highway,” Almagno said. “Theoretically, it’s interesting – but practically, it’s not…it takes (more) time for them to cross the roads, and that’s with experienced drivers.”
Baldwin’s Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster expressed a similar belief.
“We must now cross 365 at Duncan Bridge,” Woodmaster said. “There’s no longer the option to head south down BC Grant and across on Wilbanks, Charley Davis or LC Turner. And if we are responding to a medical emergency on the south side of 365 that requires EMS, EMS has to turn to the right and do a U-turn at Alto Mud Creek Road or through an R-cut to head to the hospital in Habersham.”
At the meeting Wednesday, Lott told those in attendance that while there may be some opposition to RCUTS, GDOT officials maintain the patterns make for safer roadways.
Justin Lott, a pre-construction engineer with GDOT, speaks to over 50 people at North Georgia Technical College Wednesday, March 26
“It is less convenient,” Lott said. “But I will say that sometimes, at (G)DOT, we kind of have to take choices away because drivers typically will choose convenience over safety … I kind of think (full-access median) opens will be a thing of the past, just because of the safety aspect of it.”
Lott, who said there is data that indicates RCUTs make roadways safer, stated after the meeting that certain modifications can be made to accommodate first responders – namely shortened medians of four inches instead of six inches.
“If there were some concerns, we could address those specifically,” Lott said.
Traffic at Carpenters Cove Lane
The intersection of Carpenters Cove in Cornelia (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
Toward the end of the meeting, Cornelia city officials and Habersham County residents raised concerns about traffic and heavy congestion at Carpenters Cove Lane in front of Walmart.
An estimated 25,000 vehicles travel down Business Highway 441 there in front of Walmart on a daily basis, according to Cornelia Community and Economic Development Director Jessie Owensby.
Owensby told Now Habersham after the meeting that an additional exit from GA 365 onto Business Highway 441 is much needed. So far, GDOT has no plans for an additional exit in that area – though plans to widen the highway there are being discussed.
“We’ll keep talking to (GDOT) and hopefully our input means something,” Owensby said. “There’s no plans currently, but there needs to be. I don’t know that (widening) will be the best solution. There’s a lot needed right there. I feel like there needs to be a whole traffic pattern change almost in the way we’re traveling that road…that area between Cannon Bridge and VFW Post Road had about 80 car accidents last year.”
Cornelia Commissioner Mark Reed agreed on the need for an additional exit there, citing heavy traffic congestion.
“It’s very congested, and it’s going to get worse,” Reed said. “We’ll just have to leave it to the experts…we just have to continue to engage GDOT and Partnership Habersham and try to work together.”
Habersham County’s Commission is considering three candidates who could be selected as the successor of former county manager Alicia Vaughn, who stepped down in December, although there doesn’t appear to be a consensus among them so far.
Those candidates are: Interim County Manager and Chief Financial Officer Tim Sims, Demorest City Manager Mark Musslewhite and former Mt. Airy town manager Tim Jerrell.
While commissioners so far haven’t disclosed which candidate they favor, a decision will likely be made in the coming weeks.
Since the initial announcement at a regular meeting Tuesday, March 25, Habersham County Commission Chair Jimmy Tench has been absent from discussions due to health issues, creating potential for a split vote.
Habersham County Commission Vice Chairman Bruce Harkness said he’s not yet decided which candidate he could vote for, though he did say there isn’t a consensus among commissioners yet.
“We may have to reconvene and rethink things,” Harkness said. “The commissioners just need to meet and talk further – because, now, there’s only four of us and we have to have three out of four to make a decision.”
Commissioner Ty Akins said he’s optimistic about the process so far.
“The remaining candidates are all really good folks – probably any of them are capable of doing the job,” Akins said. “I think we’re in a good spot. The board wants to take it slow and we don’t want to do anything until Commissioner Tench is back.”
The candidates
Each of the three candidates under consideration have experience in government. Since the announcement of the three finalists on Wednesday, March 26, commissioners must wait at least 14 days before a vote is taken.
Jerrell is the only candidate who lives in Habersham County, as both Sims and Musslewhite live in Gainesville.
Anyone wanting to review that information may contact the county clerk’s office at (706) 839-0215 or by email at [email protected].
Sims
Interim County Manager and Chief Financial Officer Tim Sims (Habersham County)
Sims, who was selected to succeed Vaughn on an interim basis in December, has been Habersham County’s chief financial officer since 2020. Before that, Sims worked with Hall County’s government for 22 years. During that time, Sims first worked as an accounting manager, then as a budget officer, and then as a financial administrator until he was later promoted to purchasing manager.
Sims holds a bachelor’s in business administration from North Georgia College and State University in Dahlonega and a B.B.A. in business administration from Gainesville College.
Sims is also a Certified Financial Officer from UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, a Graduate Public Finance Leadership Academy from the Carl Vinson Institute, and a state and national member of the Government Financial Officers Association.
Musslewhite
Demorest City Manager Mark Musslewhite (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
With over 30 years of leadership experience in public service, leadership development and financial management, Musslewhite was brought on as interim city manager of Demorest in 2021 before being approved as city manager in April of 2022.
From 2018-2021, Musslewhite worked as a lot acquisition manager for Cumming-based Adams Homes. And from 1998-2018, he owned a real estate business.
Musslewhite also served on the Gainesville City Council from 2000 to 2006.
Last year, Musselwhite received the Harold F. Holtz Municipal Training Institute Certificate of Excellence during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Cities United Summit in Atlanta in early 2024.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Louisiana Tech University.
Jarrell
Habersham County investigator and former Mt. Airy town manager Tim Jarrell. (NowHabersham.com)
Jarrell was the town manager and police chief of Mt. Airy before his departure in 2022. He left to join the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office as a criminal investigator/sergeant, a title he continues to hold currently. Before that, he was the police chief of Toccoa until he left for Mt. Airy in 2018.
In 2021, Jarrell earned a master’s in public administration from Columbia Southern University. He also has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Grantham University.
He has a list of certifications from the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, Planning and Zoning from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, Core Leadership from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Funding and Grants for Government.
A Gainesville man was arrested on drug trafficking charges Thursday, March 27, after Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigators allegedly seized methamphetamine valued at more than $12,000 from a residence off GA 53/Dawsonville Highway.
According to authorities, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) executed a search warrant at a home in the 3400 block of Rock Ridge Drive around 6 p.m. Investigators then allegedly discovered 170 grams of methamphetamine and around $7,000 in cash.
Authorities arrested 43-year-old Kelly Leif Ward at the scene. He faces felony charges of trafficking methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Ward was booked into the Hall County Jail, where he remained held without bond as of Friday, March 28. The investigation remains ongoing.
During the search, deputies also arrested another man at the residence. Ronald Scott Dowling, 55, of Dahlonega, was taken into custody on an outstanding superior court warrant for probation violation. He was not charged in connection with the drug case.
This residence on Fort Lamar Road in Commerce went up in flames in the middle of the day on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Banks County Fire and Emergency Services)
No one was injured, but a fire caused extensive damage to a Banks County home. Banks County Fire Chief Steve Nichols says the resident was home when the fire broke out and managed to evacuate safely.
Banks County Fire and Emergency Services responded to the blaze at 1476 Fort Lamar Road in Commerce on Thursday afternoon, March 27. Firefighters arrived to find the single-family residence “well-involved with fire,” says Nichols. He says crews made a rapid interior attack and quickly brought the fire under control.
The Banks County Fire Department investigated the cause of the fire and did not rule out an electrical problem near the outside meter base.
The Jackson County CI and Lee Arrendale State Prison Fire Departments assisted Banks County crews at the scene. Nichols says on-scene reconstructors were also there to assist the family. Firefighters cleared the scene shortly before 5 p.m. on March 27.
FILE PHOTO - Pictured, from left, are House Speaker Jon Burns, Gov. Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones could be in line for pay raises next year if a new compensation passes the Legislature in 2025. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
ATLANTA (Georgia Recorder) — Legislation passed by the Senate on Thursday would place the Georgia governor at the top of the list of high-paid governors in the nation and significantly increase the salaries of the attorney general, House and Senate leaders, and several other key officials.
The Senate voted 45-10 to approve a revised House Bill 86 that would increase the governor’s annual salary from $182,000 to $250,000 for next year. Several state court judges will receive higher salaries under the legislation, while the attorney general, state school superintendent, secretary of state, and agricultural, insurance, and labor commissioners will receive annual salaries of $200,000.
Now that the bill has been amended by the Senate, the changes must be adopted by the House before the session concludes on April 4.
According to data collected by the Council of State Governments on gubernatorial salaries for 2022, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s pay raise will move him from 10th highest earning to tied for first with Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York.
Sen. John Albers, a Roswell Republican, said the new salaries will provide uniformity among several executive officers while also addressing disparities, such as the governor earning less than the Atlanta mayor’s $236,000 salary. The bill would set the other salaries at $200,000, based on 80% of the governor’s salary.
“This simply sets the governor’s salary at $250,000, which I believe is appropriate, but then it falls in line with our constitutional officers and the speaker of the House,” Albers said.
“I think it actually will bring us up to where we need to be. If you look at constitutional officers like the speaker of the House, they sometimes make twice as much money as them,” Albers said.
According to the open.ga.gov database, the reported salaries in 2024 for six Georgia public officials who could get pay bumps through HB 86 were: Attorney General Chris Carr with $146,000; $131,000 for Insurance Commissioner John King and State School Superintendent Richard Woods; Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger made $125,637; $106,000 for House Speaker Jon Burns, and $98,000 for Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.
In comparison, the Council for State Governments reported that the average salary for secretary of states nationally was $121,628 in 2022, with Arizona paying the lowest salary at $70,000, while Tennessee had the highest at $222,252.
The report also says that the 2022 national average salaries for state attorneys general was $139,000. New York’s AG led the nation with $220,000 while Oregon’s $82,200 ranked last. Some lawmakers questioned the wisdom of giving such large raises to top Georgia executives at the same time.
Stone Mountain Democratic Sen. Kim Jackson said she supported the higher salaries but had reservations about the raises taking effect this summer instead of waiting until next year when Georgia’s next elections for state offices will be held.
“Isn’t it true that we typically do salary increases to be effective for the next election cycle, not during the time when people want to see it as a decision,” Jackson said.
Albers said he understands why government officials may hold off from publicly requesting better pay in order to avoid being accused of supporting their own pay raises.
There is also an added layer of scrutiny about elected officials raising pay during an election year, Albers said.
“We can find a reason each and every year to not do this,” he said. “This is the right time, the right year to do this.”
Under the bill, the General Assembly would approve salaries for Supreme Court justices and judges for the Court of Appeals, state Business Court and Tax Court based on pay of judges for the United States District Court for Northern Georgia, who currently earn $247,400, according to U.S. Courts government website..
The justices could earn equal pay to the federal district court judges while the other state judges could earn 95-99% of the U.S. district court judges.
A routine traffic stop in White County on Wednesday, March 26, led to the arrest of a Homer man on multiple drug-related charges, including trafficking methamphetamine.
According to the White County Sheriff’s Office, Crime Suppression Units conducted the traffic stop on a red Ford Ranger near Skitts Mountain Road and Campground Road. During the stop, K9 Jelly was deployed for a free-air sniff, which led officers to establish probable cause for a search.
Authorities say Quasim R. Scott, 43, a passenger in the vehicle, was found in possession of a glass pipe commonly used for smoking methamphetamine. A further search of Scott allegedly revealed a large quantity of methamphetamine—later weighed at over 1.5 ounces—along with cocaine and several other controlled substances.
Scott was taken into custody and charged with multiple offenses, including: trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of Schedule IV controlled substances (Alprazolam and Clonazepam), possession of drugs not in original container, possession of drug-related objects and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Scott was transported to the White County Detention Center, where he remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing.
FILE PHOTO - An aerial view of the Pentagon on May 12, 2021. (Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brittany A. Chase/Department of Defense)
WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — The chairman and ranking member on the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to the Defense Department inspector general on Thursday asking the independent watchdog to open an investigation into top officials’ use of the Signal chat app to discuss plans for bombing Yemen.
Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker and Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Jack Reed wrote that the group chat, which somehow inadvertently included Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, warranted further inquiry.
“This chat was alleged to have included classified information pertaining to sensitive military actions in Yemen,” the two wrote in the one-page letter. “If true, this reporting raises questions as to the use of unclassified networks to discuss sensitive and classified information, as well as the sharing of such information with those who do not have proper clearance and need to know.”
They asked the inspector general to include an “assessment of DOD classification and declassification policies and processes and whether these policies and processes were adhered to” as well as a determination of whether anyone “transferred classified information, including operational details, from classified systems to unclassified systems, and if so, how.”
The senators called on the inspector general to figure out if “the policies of the White House, Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and other Departments and agencies represented on the National Security Council on this subject differ.”
The letter requests the inspector general make recommendations to address any issues that might be identified by an investigation.
Signalgate, as it’s become known, began Monday when The Atlantic published excerpts of the group chat that included Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, and others.
President Donald Trump and numerous White House officials have repeatedly tried to downplay the use of a commercial communications app to discuss plans to bomb Houthi rebels inside Yemen.
Hegseth has said publicly that no classified information was shared in the group chat, but Wicker told reporters on Wednesday that the “information as published recently appears to me to be of such a sensitive nature that, based on my knowledge, I would have wanted to classify it.”
A spokesperson for the Defense Department Inspector General said the office “received the request yesterday and we are reviewing the letter. We have no further comment at this time.”
