Longtime Liberty County Development Authority chief operating officer Carmen Cole has resigned her position following an internal review.

Cole acknowledged she used public funds for personal expenses and had fully reimbursed the LCDA for all the money spent on her behalf. Both parties, though, agreed Cole’s resignation was in their mutual best interest.

Under the leadership of CEO, Brynn Grant, who started April 1, 2024, the LCDA has been engaged in an internal reorganization to ensure its operations are mission-focused, transparent, and accountable to the public. As part of this reorganization, the LCDA hired an experienced certified public accountant as its director of finance, Compliance, and Administration. The Authority also has segregated critical job functions and implemented other internal controls to detect and prevent any financial errors or irregularities.

As part of these efforts, and in response to a request for proposals issued in November for auditing services, the accounting firm of Mauldin & Jenkins is now engaged in an audit of the LCDA’s accounts for internal reference and public review.

“With these initiatives, new leadership, and staff, the Authority board has been taking the necessary steps to ensure public funds entrusted to the Authority are managed responsibly and appropriately safeguarded,” said Al Williams, chairman of the LCDA. “We are now more confident than ever in our ability to pursue the mission of economic development on behalf of our community and state.”