Georgia county's coroner arrested, faces 24 felony counts
GRAY, Ga. (AP) - An interim coroner is in place in a Georgia county after its coroner resigned following his arrest on 24 felony counts.
News outlets report 76-year-old Jerry Bridges Sr. resigned from the Jones County Coroner's Office after being arrested Tuesday. He faces two counts of misappropriation of funds and 22 counts of theft by conversion.
Sheriff's Lt. Kenny Gleaton says Bridges is accused of pocketing at least $100,000 from 22 clients with "pre-need" accounts at his business, Bridges Funeral Home, which closed last year. Gleaton says state law requires pre-arranged funeral funds be placed in an escrow account.
Deputy Coroner Matt Jarratt has been appointed interim coroner.
Bridges is free on a $100,000 property bond. It was unknown if he's represented by an attorney.