East Point Resident Suggests GBI Be Called In To Investigate City’s Finances After City Manager Placed On Leave; Council Takes Vote: Vote Fails After Councilmembers Atkins And Friedly Vote No

At Monday night’s city council meeting during Public Comments, an East Point resident suggested the council consider asking the Georgia Bureau Of Investigation (GBI) to investigate the city’s finances.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Ward D Councilmember Latonya Martin-Rogers put forth a motion in favor of doing exactly that.

“My motion is to move to direct the city attorney to request an independent investigation by the Georgia Bureau Of Investigation for a criminal investigation into the financial irregularities and misuse of public funds currently under investigation at this time”.

Martin-Rogers’ motion was seconded by Ward D Councilmember At-Large Andrea Caldwell.

After a voice vote was taken, Mayor Keisha Chapman directed City Clerk Keisha McCullough to take an official count. Ward C Councilmember Tremayne Mitchell and Councilmembers Latonya Martin-Rogers and Mitchell then voted yes.

Ward A Councilmember Eric Friedly and Councilmember Shean Atkins voted no.

As a result, Martin-Rogers’ motion failed. Because several councilmembers were not present, including Ward A At-Large Councilmember Japera Hemming, who left the meeting prior to its conclusion, two votes were all that were required to tank the vote.

City Manager Redmond Jones was placed on indefinite leave by the council two weeks ago, pending an investigation into allegations over Jones’ car allowance payments and overtime pay.

Over the summer, a number of residents spoke out with concerns over the city’s budget and spending, prompting councilmembers from wards C and D to host a series of budget town halls to address their concerns.

Since Jones was placed on leave, a growing number of residents have called for an outside law enforcement authority to review the city’s books.