Jail Report Exclusive:
Timothy Shelnut, former member of the Georgia Board of Regents and the richest individual to ever call Augusta home, was locked up today for contempt of court.
Shelnut, 66, is being accused of hiding assets to avoid paying $199,000 in alimony to his ex-wife, Sam Shelnut, according to authorities and sources.
Mr. Shelnut was locked up following a hearing Friday morning before Judge J. David Roper. According to the Richmond County Jail website, he is being held without bond at the detention center.
Shelnut is a former bond and insurance magnate who was a close political ally of Charles Walker, Sue Burmeister and Linda Schrenko.
Among many properties, he once owned the Columbia County News-Times. He is possibly the richest and most well-known Augustan who was locked up or was James Brown.