Robocall Circulates Across City Over Failed GBI Investigation Vote: Caller Reminds Residents Councilmembers Eric Friedly And Shean Atkins Voted No To Outside Investigation: “What Is The City Trying To Hide?”

A robocall featuring an unknown female voice is circulating around the city, reminding residents about a failed vote that took place at the last council meeting on September 21.

At the meeting, Ward D Councilmember Latonya Martin-Rogers made a motion to direct the city attorney to request an investigation by the Georgia Bureau Of Investigation (GBI) into East Point’s finances after City Manager Redmond Jones was placed on administrative leave over issues pertaining to additional funds in excess of contract limitations allegedly received by Jones.

Only 5 of the 8 members on the city council were present: Ward A Councilmember Eric Friedly; Ward B At-Large Councilmember Shean Atkins; Ward C Councilmember Tremayne Mitchell; Ward D Coucilmember Martin-Rogers; and Ward D Councilmember At-Large Andrea Caldwell. Also present was Mayor Keisha Chapman.

Ward A At-Large Councilmember Japera Hemming had already left the meeting early. Ward B Councilmember Carrie Ziegler and Ward C At-Large Councilmember Star Cummings were not present for that night’s meeting.

Because of council rules, only two no votes were required in order to ensure the vote failed: Councilmembers Friedly and Atkins voted no, and the motion was denied.

For months, many residents expressed vocal concerns over the city’s budgetary operations along with spending priorities made by Jones. Over the summer, Councilmembers Caldwell; Mitchell; Martin-Rogers; and Cummings held several well-attended budget town halls as concerns and controversy grew over reported enhanced car allowances and other expenditures included in the budget.

In June, an anonymous robocall was circulated that called out residents by name for speaking out about their concerns over the budget. However, the controversy did not go away.

Last month, the council took action after it became aware of several thousand dollars in alleged overpayments made to Jones which revolved around overtime payments and car allowance stipends. Jones was placed on administrative leave pending the results of an independent investigation that has not been completed.

To many East Point residents, inviting the GBI or any independent law enforcement agency into the city to look over its books after the city council took steps to investigate a second city manager over financial questions within 3 years is a no-brainer.

In addition, only 5 years have passed since the city was swindled out of close to a million dollars in what has been described by East Point officials as an “email hack” that made national news.

To date, no suspect in the crime has been publicly identified and no arrests have been made known to the public in the case.

Some residents have urged cautious patience as the city completes its investigation into Jones while many other residents say it’s past time for an outside law enforcement agency to step in.

Here’s a transcript of the call now in circulation:

“East Point residents, City Manager Redmond Jones received an additional $500 per month in unauthorized payments for 19 months, totaling $9,500 beyond what his contract allows. He also gave himself 64 hours of unauthorized compensatory time valued at $6,252.31. The total amount at issue is $15,752.31. At the September 21 council meeting, only 5 of 8 members were present when a motion was made asking the city attorney to request an independent criminal investigation by the GBI. Eric Friedly and Shean Atkins voted no; the motion failed. In 2023, one of today’s councilmembers said there were very few systems of checks and balances at city hall. He called the situation depressing and frightening and said serious change was needed. If checks and balances mattered, then why not vote on an independent GBI investigation now? More than $15,000 in unauthorized payments and time are at issue. What is the city trying to hide that it doesn’t want the GBI to investigate? One councilmember said that when residents come with clear demands, council responds. So, what are they afraid of? Show up at city council, show up at city hall, on October 5th or the 19th, sign up to speak by 6:20 P.M. and ask council yourself. What is the city trying to hide?

–East Point robocall

The next East Point City Council meeting takes place at 6:30 P.M., Monday, October 5.

You can also watch the live stream from the city’s website.