Published Sunday, April 13, 2008

Pete Skandalakis seeks re-election

Pete Skandalakis, district attorney for the five-county Coweta Judicial Circuit, has announced his intention to seek re-election to his fourth term as district attorney.

"I am pleased to announce that I will seek re-election as the district attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit," said Skandalakis. "I consider it a tremendous honor and privilege that the people have allowed me to serve as their chief prosecutor these past three terms, and I am hopeful that they will see fit to allow me to continue my public service for a fourth term."

Skandalakis was first elected as district attorney in 1992. He started his career as a prosecutor in 1984 when he joined the district attorney's office right after graduation from law school. He began as an assistant district attorney and was promoted to chief assistant in 1987 before being appointed district attorney four years later.

Since taking office, Skandalakis has been responsible for overseeing the prosecution of thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases. In 2004, he successfully prosecuted Connie Quedens for the 17-year-old homicide of Fred Wilkerson and brought closure to his family members who lost their loved one almost two decades earlier. In addition, in 2003, his office solved the 33-year-old murder of Gwendolyn Moore, who had been killed by her husband, Marshall Moore, in 1970. These prosecutions have garnered national attention when Skandalakis was featured on three national television shows -- "48 Hours," "Dateline NBC," and "A&E Cold Case Files."

Under his administration, the Victim Assistance Program has expanded from one employee to eleven, making it the second largest prosecution-based Victim Assistance Program in the state.

He has also been involved in legislative matters concerning public safety. He initiated and lobbied for a criminal statute requiring life in prison for persons convicted of second and subsequent child molestation offenses. In 1997, he also initiated and lobbied for legislation which increased the range of punishment from a misdemeanor to a felony for a person convicted of concealing the death of another person.

"In seeking a fourth term, I invite all to examine my previous terms in office. I will continue to ensure that in the course of criminal prosecutions, victims of crime and the people of this circuit are represented by highly trained, motivated and ethical professionals."

Skandalakis was the recipient of the 2007 Georgia District Attorney of the Year award for his contributions to Georgia's prosecution community. In 2006, he was honored by the Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia with the J. Roger Thompson award for an exceptional faculty member of the Basic Litigation for New Prosecutors course. Skandalakis was honored by the Governor's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council of Georgia with their "Eagle Award" for his outstanding contributions to victim services in Georgia in 2002.

He has served as president of the District Attorney's Association of Georgia, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Prosecuting Attorney's Council of Georgia for two terms, and also chairman of the board for Project Love, a domestic violence shelter.

Skandalakis was born and raised in Atlanta by his Greek parents, John and Eva Skandalakis. He was been a resident of LaGrange for more than 24 years. He is married to Trish Skandalakis and is the proud father of six children. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of LaGrange.

He received his Juris Doctorate in 1984, a Master's Degree in Public Administration in 1981 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1978 -- all from the University of Georgia. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1984.

"I am mindful of the responsibility that comes with holding elected office," the district attorney continued. "It is, therefore, my pledge to the people to continue operating a district attorney's office that will make them proud. An office committed to public service, honesty, integrity and professionalism. One that strictly adheres to our principles of justice, fairness and equal treatment under the law."