A Savannah alderman has responded to corruption allegations from a fellow alderwoman by issuing a cease-and-desist order on Monday.

“Ms. Lanier’s claims are utterly baseless and lack honesty concerning the community she serves,” stated Detric Leggett’s (District 2) attorney, Boone Phillips. “Her accusations are a reckless disregard for the truth. She failed to conduct any due diligence or research, which starkly contrasts with Mr. Leggett’s character.”

Leggett and Phillips sat down with to respond to allegations and discuss the order.

“We’re really confused as to why she would make statements like this. None of this has any bearing in truth whatsoever,” said Phillips.

During a press conference titled “Check Your Savannah” on May 6, Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier (District 1) referred to Leggett as a “Rogue Alderman” and accused him of meddling in police matters and allegedly bribing Pooler Police officers to prevent his relatives’ arrests in a drug trafficking case.

Phillips called those allegations “reckless” and “baseless.”

“Mr. Leggett didn’t pay off anybody. It’s absolutely ridiculous to insinuate Mr. Leggett has paid someone off, especially a member of the Pooler Police Department,” said Phillips. “It’s reckless for her to say something like that without any proof whatsoever. It did not happen, and we can absolutely show that it did not happen.”

has obtained a copy of police report of alleged incident that occurred Aug. 8, 2024, in the parking lot of the Pooler Walmart.

Detric Carlton Leggett, 28, in apparent relation to Leggett, was listed an offender but was not arrested. Two other offenders, Omar Jackson, 24, and Domonique Beauford, 32, were arrested and charged with Drug Trafficking and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Both have since been indicted in Chatham County Superior Court.

The report said Leggett Jr. left the scene. No records have indicated he is facing charges.

The Pooler Police Department (PPD) denies the allegations officers were paid off, and sent the following statement:

“I searched our reports for the name Detric Legget and found one report from August 2024 in which that name was involved. This case is, in fact, still open and pending prosecution within Chatham County Superior Court. The fact that the case is still open and ongoing goes against the allegations of the Pooler Police Department being paid off to stop the case from moving forward; therefore, we deny said allegations.”

Lanier has also made allegations Leggett weaponized city and county police to “harass his best friend’s child’s mother and her gentlemen friend.”

Leggett has also denied those allegations in the order.

The order demands Lanier retract the allegations and in the form of a public letter that should be posted on her social media and sent to media outlets.

“The things she said were completely false and she needs to be honest about that,” said Phillips. “She needs to tell the community that it is false and right the wrongs she’s made against Mr. Leggett.”

Per the order, Lanier has seven days to retract her statements about Leggett and adhere to its demands. If she does not, Phillips said he will take legal action against the alderwoman.

Read the full letter here: