DeKalb Commissioner Jester fires top aide following arrest
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - What police said happened inside a Memorial Drive motel Monday landed one of the county's top level executives inside the DeKalb County Jail.
Until Monday evening, Jeff Breedlove was the top aide and Senior Communications Director for DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester. But the 49-year-old is now charged with a felony: making false statements. According to investigators, it all stems from what Breedlove told authorities at the Budget Inn & Suites.
Breedlove reportedly told a friend he was being held against his will by a man with a gun. In the incident report, the responding officer said Breedlove “was in trouble and a gun was at the location.”
When officers knocked on the door to Room 222, Breedlove reportedly emerged from a bathroom with both hands up in the air, his belt unbuckled, wearing a white tank top and no shoes on his feet.
According to the incident report, a man and a woman were also in the motel room. Police said the man had a gun, but allowed officers to take it, unload and confiscate it. The officer also said Breedlove pulled him to the side and described himself as a very important person, a “Chief of Staff,” who did not want to get himself in trouble or incriminate himself.
Breedlove was ultimately interviewed at DeKalb County Police Headquarters and charged with making false statements. In the arrest warrant, investigators contend he intentionally omitted specific facts that demonstrated his ability to flee or escape from the man he claimed was holding him against his will.
Commissioner Jester declined to comment on camera Tuesday, but did issue a statement reading in part:
“Mr. Breedlove did not show up at a meeting this weekend or for work on Monday. I considered this a resignation and executed termination effective yesterday. I do not condone or tolerate lack of performance in an employee and I have taken swift and immediate action regarding this situation. I look forward to moving forward to continue to add value to the citizens of District 1 and all of DeKalb. As this is a personnel matter, I will be making no further comments.”