Cobb County Superior Court Clerk Connie Taylor is facing felony charges after allegedly ordering the destruction of public records tied to passport application fees she was accused of personally pocketing.
Taylor, who was re-elected in 2024, has been indicted on four charges—two counts of destruction of public records and two counts of violating her oath of office. According to a whistleblower complaint, Taylor told a court employee to “Donald Trump this thing” to get rid of documents connected to her retention of passport processing fees.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) launched a probe after the employee reported the incident. That investigation found Taylor allegedly attempted to conceal public records that could have exposed how she handled hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees. Records show Taylor collected more than $220,000 in passport-related fees in 2021 alone.
While Georgia law allows superior court clerks to retain certain processing fees, they are not authorized to keep expedited shipping fees. Earlier this year, Taylor agreed to repay over $83,000 in improperly collected funds.
The explosive allegation—using a former president’s name as shorthand for destroying records—was first revealed in a 2022 letter written by attorney Stacey Evans, a former state lawmaker now representing the whistleblower.
Evans said Taylor also told staff the passport fees were “her money” and allegedly refused to share any documents related to the issue with the media or investigators.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, whose office is handling the prosecution after the Cobb County District Attorney recused itself, said the charges reflect a serious breach of public trust.
“Any attempts to conceal or destroy government records are serious allegations that cannot be ignored,” Carr said in a statement.
GBI Director Chris Hosey echoed that sentiment, adding that the agency remains committed to “upholding the integrity of government operations across Georgia.”
Despite the charges, Taylor remains in office. The Cobb County Board of Commissioners explains that her position, like other constitutional officers in Georgia, operates independently from the board’s direct authority.
“Regardless of the outcome, Cobb County is committed to ensuring residents continue to receive efficient and effective services through the Clerk of Superior Court’s office,” the board said in a statement.
As the case moves forward, state officials say they are determined to hold accountable anyone who undermines transparency in public service. Taylor has not made a public statement since the indictment. A trial date has not yet been announced.
