Warrants served ‘not about Chamber business’
Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 7, 2013
“It’s not about the Chamber” is all officials would confirm Friday after search warrants were executed Thursday night at the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce and the home of its executive vice president.
Law enforcement officers are being tight-lipped about what led them to the Chamber and to the home of Chamber EVP Ashley Eiland on Sanford Road; however, sources say Andalusia Police and Covington County District Attorney investigators seized numerous cell phones and electronic items during the searches.
Eiland was transported to the APD just after the conclusion of the Andalusia Christmas parade for questioning, but had not been charged with a crime as of Friday afternoon.
While Chamber President Jessie Self would not comment on the nature of the investigation, he did say, “I can confirm the investigation is not related to any wrongdoings involving the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, it is only appropriate I refrain from commenting at this time.”
That was confirmed by a Friday afternoon statement from the district attorney’s office, which also disclosed that search warrants were also served on the vehicle, home and workspace “(of) an Andalusia resident.”
“Those search warrants were executed as part of an ongoing criminal investigation,” the statement said. “One search warrant was executed at the (Chamber). Immediately prior to the execution of the search warrant, and as a courtesy to the Chamber, law enforcement notified a board member, who cooperated fully with law enforcement.
“At the present time, no comment will be made as to the nature of the investigation except that the investigation has nothing to do with the business of the Chamber of Commerce or any of the Chamber’s activities, its board members or this individual’s relationship with the Chamber,” the statement read.