SAVANNAH, GA – Four Georgia State Police (GSP) troopers were fired from their positions earlier in April following an internal investigation that revealed the troopers were allegedly engaged in a scheme that targeted the auto insurance policies of suspects they terminated pursuits with via authorized tactics like PIT maneuvers.
In January 2026, an internal Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigation was launched regarding the alleged unethical conduct of GSP troopers after Sergeant Zachary Parker reported to officials he’d heard troopers discussing how police pursuits served as an opportunity to get a “check.”
What was uncovered during the internal investigation was reportedly three troopers and a supervisor from the department who’d been utilizing a personal injury attorney to garner tens of thousands of dollars through the insurance companies of suspects involved in GSP pursuits.
At the center of the alleged scheme is attorney Tina Maddox, whose website boasts of her expertise in handling personal injury claims. Maddox reportedly received various crash reports from Troopers Hunter Waters, Tyler Byrd, Isaiah Francois, and Sergeant Joseph Curlee, which she used the personal information of suspects involved in police pursuits that ended with PIT maneuvers to issue demand letters to the suspects’ insurance companies.
The issued demand letters sent to the various insurance companies cited injuries like “stress, soreness, and anxiety,” despite the original police reports related to the incidents harboring statements from the involved troopers admitting they suffered no injuries stemming from the terminated pursuits. Additionally, the demand letters did not disclose to the insurance companies that the parties seeking damages were law enforcement officers.
Reportedly, the demand letters sent by Maddox targeted the state’s minimum personal injury liability regarding auto insurance, which is $25,000 per person, offering a quick out-of-court settlement versus the threat of trial.
Trooper Hunter reportedly admitted to DPS investigators that he filed numerous claims through Maddox, netting three $25,000 settlements from pursuits he terminated, resulting in him pocketing roughly $50,000 after legal fees.
Apparently, Trooper Byrd admitted to investigators to sending Maddox over a dozen crash reports resulting in two settlements, going as far to tell DSP investigators that he saw the practice of “making claims for termination techniques he initiated against insured, fleeing violators was a way to supplement his salary,” likening the practice to securing “off-duty employment.”
At the time of the investigation, Trooper Francois admitted that he was expecting a settlement but couldn’t remember the specific crash report he handed over to Maddox.
Sergeant First Class Curlee was reportedly aware of the practice going on in the department and had previously consulted with Maddox to see if he could file his own claim regarding an unspecified pursuit, which the attempted insurance claim was deemed non-payable.
The DSP report found the four troopers had violated several policies, including prohibitions on accepting compensation for official duties without authorization, conduct that could damage the reputation of the agency, and failure to avoid the appearance of engaging in a conflict of interest. Furthermore, the report emphasized that the scheme could create the public perception that troopers were employing pursuit tactics for personal profit rather than public safety.
Lieutenant Edward Sterling, who serves as the DPS Public Information Officer, issued a statement on the matter saying, “the manner, method, and conduct of these Troopers in making such claims violated the Department’s policy and ethical standards,” but cautioned that the conduct of a “few” is not representative of the entire agency.
“The actions of these few individuals do not reflect the core values of professionalism and trust that define our agency. The Georgia Department of Public Safety holds its Troopers and Officers conduct to a high standard. Our integrity defines us as an organization and drives our mission of providing accountability in our public safety efforts,” the statement concluded.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says they’ve not received any notice on opening a criminal investigation into the matter, nor has the state attorney general’s office issued any official statement regarding the allegations. Sergeant Curlee has since been hired by the Effingham County Sheriff's Office following his termination from the GSP earlier in April.
In January 2026, an internal Department of Public Safety (DPS) investigation was launched regarding the alleged unethical conduct of GSP troopers after Sergeant Zachary Parker reported to officials he’d heard troopers discussing how police pursuits served as an opportunity to get a “check.”
What was uncovered during the internal investigation was reportedly three troopers and a supervisor from the department who’d been utilizing a personal injury attorney to garner tens of thousands of dollars through the insurance companies of suspects involved in GSP pursuits.
At the center of the alleged scheme is attorney Tina Maddox, whose website boasts of her expertise in handling personal injury claims. Maddox reportedly received various crash reports from Troopers Hunter Waters, Tyler Byrd, Isaiah Francois, and Sergeant Joseph Curlee, which she used the personal information of suspects involved in police pursuits that ended with PIT maneuvers to issue demand letters to the suspects’ insurance companies.
The issued demand letters sent to the various insurance companies cited injuries like “stress, soreness, and anxiety,” despite the original police reports related to the incidents harboring statements from the involved troopers admitting they suffered no injuries stemming from the terminated pursuits. Additionally, the demand letters did not disclose to the insurance companies that the parties seeking damages were law enforcement officers.
Reportedly, the demand letters sent by Maddox targeted the state’s minimum personal injury liability regarding auto insurance, which is $25,000 per person, offering a quick out-of-court settlement versus the threat of trial.
Trooper Hunter reportedly admitted to DPS investigators that he filed numerous claims through Maddox, netting three $25,000 settlements from pursuits he terminated, resulting in him pocketing roughly $50,000 after legal fees.
Apparently, Trooper Byrd admitted to investigators to sending Maddox over a dozen crash reports resulting in two settlements, going as far to tell DSP investigators that he saw the practice of “making claims for termination techniques he initiated against insured, fleeing violators was a way to supplement his salary,” likening the practice to securing “off-duty employment.”
At the time of the investigation, Trooper Francois admitted that he was expecting a settlement but couldn’t remember the specific crash report he handed over to Maddox.
Sergeant First Class Curlee was reportedly aware of the practice going on in the department and had previously consulted with Maddox to see if he could file his own claim regarding an unspecified pursuit, which the attempted insurance claim was deemed non-payable.
The DSP report found the four troopers had violated several policies, including prohibitions on accepting compensation for official duties without authorization, conduct that could damage the reputation of the agency, and failure to avoid the appearance of engaging in a conflict of interest. Furthermore, the report emphasized that the scheme could create the public perception that troopers were employing pursuit tactics for personal profit rather than public safety.
Lieutenant Edward Sterling, who serves as the DPS Public Information Officer, issued a statement on the matter saying, “the manner, method, and conduct of these Troopers in making such claims violated the Department’s policy and ethical standards,” but cautioned that the conduct of a “few” is not representative of the entire agency.
“The actions of these few individuals do not reflect the core values of professionalism and trust that define our agency. The Georgia Department of Public Safety holds its Troopers and Officers conduct to a high standard. Our integrity defines us as an organization and drives our mission of providing accountability in our public safety efforts,” the statement concluded.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says they’ve not received any notice on opening a criminal investigation into the matter, nor has the state attorney general’s office issued any official statement regarding the allegations. Sergeant Curlee has since been hired by the Effingham County Sheriff's Office following his termination from the GSP earlier in April.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments