[ April 20, 2021 ] In the Superior Court of Pickens County on April 19, 2021, Defendant William Allen Wigington waives his right to withdraw his guilty plea. Sentencing will be May 27th, 2021 at 9:00 am.

The waiver states that 'The State agrees that it will pursue no further investigation or prosecution of Defendant for alleged offenses related to the charges and investigation in this case, resulting from continued investigation in this case, or related to Defendant's purchases, financial management and accounting, or use of financial transaction cards in his personal or professional capacity from 2008 to the present (including but not limited to alleged theft, unauthorized use of financial transaction cards, violation of oath of office, RICO, and forgery)'. Restitution in this case will not exceed $75,000.

Waiver of Right to Withdraw Guilty Plea (PDF)
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More Charges Former Pickens Magistrate Judge
3/11/2021 - In the Superior Court of Pickens County on May 11, 2021, the Grand Jurors charged and accused William Allen Wigington with 58 Counts.

Bill of Indictment (PDF)

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Initial charges below
Pickens County Magistrate Judge Arrested
1/29/2021 - At approximately 7:30 p.m. today, Pickens County Chief Magistrate Judge Allen Wigington was arrested for multiple incidents of Theft and Violation of Oath of Office.

The Sheriff?s Office began a review of financial documents for Pickens County in mid-December 2019. During the review of these documents, questionable spending activity on the Pickens County credit card issued to Chief Magistrate Judge Allen Wigington was identified. After an initial review, Sheriff Craig reached out to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney?s office to discuss the findings. Following this, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested to assist with further investigation.

Investigators further learned of an additional situation involving a local nonprofit organization, where Wigington served as the Treasurer. In this case, it was found that Wigington had taken funds from the nonprofit organization to pay personal debts. It was determined that Wigington then attempted to remedy this action by taking funds from the Magistrate Office to reimburse the nonprofit organization.

Following an investigation that has been ongoing for more than a month, on Wednesday, January 29th, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Georgia Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at Judge Wigington?s office to gather further evidence for the case.

Warrants for Judge Wigington?s arrest were obtained by the GBI. The warrants include the following:

? 3 counts of Unauthorized Use of Financial Transaction Card (O.C.G.A. 16-9-37(b))
? 6 counts of Theft by Taking (O.C.G.A. 16-8-2)
? 1 count of Violation of Oath by Public Officer (O.C.G.A 16-10-1)

Judge Wigington turned himself into the Pickens County Adult Detention Center at 7:30 p.m. and is currently on a $50,000 bond.

This case is being actively investigated at this time.

Arrest Warrants (PDF)