Imperial Sugar Money Missing

When the Imperial Sugar Refinery exploded in 2008, fourteen workers were killed and more than forty were injured.  Because of this devastating event, the children of the victims received money held in trust listed at $81,109.  However, an attorney for the families of the children notified Chatham County that the money is now missing through the actions of Probate Court clerk Kim Birge. 

In an ante litem letter, attorney Brent J. Savage wrote that the funds at issue were provided to the court to be held in trust “for the benefit of minor children who lost their fathers in the Imperial Sugar explosion” and “are currently unaccounted for.” 

Savage further wrote, “We believe that the county is responsible for the actions of the clerk of the Chatham County Probate Court and for the negligence of the judge of the Probate Court in its failure to properly monitor the actions of Kim Birge and for fiscal responsibility.”  The letter was sent to Chatham County Commission Chairman Al Scott, and County Attorney John Hart.  Savage is expected to seek damages for the lost funds, interest on those funds, and other general damages. 

See Jan Skutch, Money for Children of Imperial Sugar Victims Stolen By Fired Court Clerk, Attorney Says, Savannah Morning News, Dec. 19, 2014.