March 30, 2021–6:02 p.m.
NEWS RELEASE
Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Rodney Jerome Thornton and Andre Jones were charged with violating Laws and Regulations pertaining to the Proper and Safe Installation of Fire Suppression Equipment as prescribed by Title 25. The two individuals in question were paid to do work at a minority-owned business located at 15 Everett Springs Road in Rome.
Mr. Thornton improperly installed a commercial kitchen hood system and certified it himself. Mr. Jones then installed the hood’s Fire Extinguishing System and certified it. Neither suspect contacted the Rome Fire Marshal for the required approval and tests, violating Georgia law.
“These two individuals deliberately targeted a minority-owned business with their scheme,” said Commissioner King. “This type of predatory behavior will not be tolerated in our state. I am proud of our investigators for their work to bring these men to justice.”
Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Unit assisted the Rome Fire Marshal’s office with this investigation. Both suspects are being held in the Floyd County Jail.