Former court clerk has Alzheimer’s, wants job back

Written By: Andrew Cauthen
4/13/11
Categorized in: DeKalb News

Alzheimer’s disease may have been a factor in the unintentional resignation of former DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk Linda Carter, according to her lawyer.

The office of Gov. Nathan Deal received a resignation on March 24 purported to be from Carter.

“Effective at five o’clock p.m. on March 24, 2011, I resign the Office of Clerk of Superior Court of DeKalb County,” the five-sentence letter states. “It has been a great privilege to serve in this capacity for over ten years.”

No reason was given for Carter’s departure and no notice was given for the resignation.

The letter named Debra DeBerry, Carter’s chief deputy clerk, to the fill the remainder of the position’s term.

Carter’s attorney, Lee Parks of Parks, Chesin and Walbert, said his client did sign the resignation letter and is considering a lawsuit against the county to get her job back.

“She did not know what she was signing,” Parks said, adding that Carter signed lots of documents every day. However, Carter did not write the resignation letter or ask for the letter to be written.

Although he did not know who wrote the letter, Parks said DeBerry urged Carter to sign it.

Carter is being treated for early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, which probably came into play with the unintentional resignation, Parks said.

“These folks are easy to take advantage of,” Parks said.

He would not comment on whether Carter’s condition affected her job performance.

The governor’s office is not planning to pursue the matter, a spokesperson said.

“The governor accepted Ms. Carter’s resignation,” said Jen Talaber, a communications specialist in the governor’s office, in a statement. “Anything further regarding this matter is judicial and the governor’s office is not involved.”

Carter, a former criminal law clerk in Harris County, Texas, moved to DeKalb County in 1988. In 2000, Carter was first elected to the clerk position after defeating incumbent Jeanette Rozier. She was re-elected in 2004 and 2008. Carter would have been up for re-election next year.

DeKalb County spokesman Burke Brennan said county officials are looking into allegations by Carter that the resignation letter to the governor was fraudulent.

DeBerry would not comment on the matter and Carter did not return multiple calls to her home.

Comments (7)

rosemary

Said this on 10/5/11 At 02:39 pm

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when once we practice to deceive.

Janet

Said this on 4/22/11 At 03:33 pm

Many people are walking around with early dementia and are functional in a position of employment. These Clerks obviously plotted to get her job. to commit fraud, lie on a chief Judge they should be imprisoned. Seems Ms DeBerry worked with the Mayor of Atlanta that had a scandal associated with his office and he went to prison. THis is unethical and Ms. Carter should be allowed to serve out her term. It is also my understanding that she confided in Ms. Deberry about her dementia and it was used against her.

rosemary

Said this on 4/19/11 At 10:01 am

In reply to #4

I believe if the "powers that be" will doing just a little digging, they will find that Ms. Dewberry and Rick have taken advantage not only of Ms. Carter, but DeKalb County, for quite some time. Check all the seminars and travel costs that have been applied for. Check Rick's American Express credit card to find that he charged many of the trips on his personal credit card - only to be reimbursed later by the County. This has given him many sky miles and other advantages. Check all mileage vouchers for EVERYONE who attended the seminars. I think you will find that everyone tendered a voucher for mileage, even though they all, at times, rode together. The Dewberry Group - CROOKS - they are all CROOKS. It is a shame that Ms. Carter put her faith in Ms. Dewberry. I really do pray that Dewberry is fully exposed before this is over and Ms. Carter is returned to her position. If she is unable to perform her duties, then for the love of God, replace her with an honest individual. Dewbery, Rick and about 3-4 others, the free ride is almost over.

Kamelya

Said this on 4/18/11 At 07:09 pm

I too find it add that no one called Mrs. Carter to verify/confirm her resignation. Even more curious is the "story" that was allegedly told to her husband about Judge Scott ordering her to be removed from office and sheriff deputies coming to escort her. What was the purpose of such an elaborate lie told to justify writing the letter on her behalf? Linda may not be fit for the job, I don't know much about the disease at its onset but something stinks about the way this has played out so far. I'll be tuning in to "As DeKalb Turns..."
#karmaisreal

JerryMyer Jackson Jr

Said this on 4/13/11 At 11:34 pm

Where in the Name of God do you see these types of things and in an abundance almost every week I might add except in DeKalb County !

Great Comments Loxly & David ! Can anyone believe this mess ?

Tune in to "As DeKalb Turns" - Steven Speilberg could not make up a better "Horror Tale" !

Loxly

Said this on 4/13/11 At 11:09 pm

If that is true, can I invalidate my divorce? Maybe she did not know what she was signing.

David

Said this on 4/13/11 At 02:28 pm

As a 64-year-old with some memory problems, this case seems to me to have no merit. A clerk has to write and sign. Now Ms. Carter, someone with a great career for decades, says she is not aware of what she is signing. Oops, do we need to learn more? While the article is somewhat amazing in that officials got a resignation letter without immediately verifying by phone or in person that the letter was authentic, surely it has been authenticated since. In these situations, the HR department generally takes control, and faxes documents to the employee. HR and the employee usually have a telephone conversation. So Ms. Carter has probably spoken to HR and she has probably faxed in her retirement papers. Sometime after that, the old office sends her a plaque telling her what a wonderful employee she had been. If she now wants a job, stand in line with Ms. DeBerry and everyone else trying to get a government job. That part is odd too, where after her exit, Ms. Carter tried to pick her successor, and that the Governor allowed her choice to stand.

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