COVINGTON — The Newton County Board of Commissioners approved a number of appointments and reappointments at the first meeting of the new year Jan. 7.
Chairman Marcello Banes presided over the meeting, returning after being suspended by Gov. Brian Kemp in August following his indictment on federal money laundering and fraud charges. Kemp’s suspension was set to extend until the end of Banes’ term or the disposition of his case, whichever came first. Banes’ second term in office ended Dec. 31, 2024; he was re-elected in May to a third term, which began Jan. 1.
Former commissioner Lanier Sims served as interim chairman by executive order during Banes’ suspension…