Audit: DeKalb used inflated crime stats to secure federal grants
Audit: DeKalb used inflated crime stats to secure federal grants
By Christian Boone
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014
The statistics provided by DeKalb police to federal grant holders painted a portrait of a county besieged by crime, with more than 11,000 aggravated assaults reported in 2008 alone.
But according to a recent audit by the U.S. Inspector General, that was about 10,000 too many.
The government watchdog found the county also over-reported numbers in every additional crime category. Those stats helped secure more than $2.3 million — money which will likely have to be refunded.
“It was an egregious error,” said DeKalb Police Chief Cedric Alexander. “None of us here were in place, including the grant writer.”
The audit reviewed three grants from Community Oriented Policing Services totaling more than $4.5 million received by the county between July 2009 and September 2013. The money was to hire entry-level police officers and support efforts to reduce child endangerment, but the audit could not account for $783,186. Read the full article:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/audit-dekalb-used-inflated-crime-stats-to-secure-f/nht9T/
DeKalb County Purchase Card (P-Card) Audit
DeKalb County P-Card Audit
Mark Niesse and Johnny Edwards wrote an article titled, “Audit: Spending reports sloppy” on October 24, 2014 in the AJC newspaper. The front page article was an investigative piece, highlighting the results of a ten year audit of the Board of Commissioners, their office staff and the clerk’s office purchase card usage.
DeKalb County has been lax in its oversight of spending by elected commissioners, and some officials frequently paid for items on their government debit cards without submitting required receipts, according to an audit released Thursday.
The audit shows the seven commissioners used taxpayer funds to pay for everything from steakhouse dinners to speeding tickets…
The DeKalb commission submitted receipts for just 57% of the transactions. However, the Purchase Card (P-card) spending by commissioners includes (according to the AJC):
1. Elaine Boyer: $103,665 with 40 percent supported by receipts
Review the actual audit at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/244408986/DeKalb-County-P-Card-Audit-Commissioner-Elaine-Boyer
2. Jeff Rader: $34,606 with 77 percent supported by receipts
Review the actual audit at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/244409024/DeKalb-County-P-Card-Audit-Commissioner-Jeff-Rader
3. Larry Johnson: $78,757, with 97 percent supported by receipts
Review the actual audit at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/244409015/DeKalb-County-P-Card-Audit-Commissioner-Larry-Johnson
4. Sharon Barnes Sutton: $108,720, with 25 percent supported by receipts
Review the actual audit at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/244410962/DeKalb-County-P-Card-Audit-Commissioner-Sharon-Barnes-Sutton
5. Lee May: $57,283, with 39 percent supported by receipts
Review the actual audit at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/244408974/DeKalb-County-P-Card-Audit-Commissioner-Lee-May
6. Kathie Gannon: $26,327, with 97 percent supported by receipts
Review the actual audit at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/244409040/DeKalb-County-P-Card-Audit-Commissioner-Kathie-Gannon
7. Stan Watson: $57,937, with 78 percent supported by receipts
Review the actual audit at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/244408999/DeKalb-County-P-Card-Audit-Commissioner-Stan-Watson
The DeKalb County Purchase Card (P-Card) audit on the Central Office Administration and Clerks:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/244408960/DeKalb-County-P-Card-Audit-Central-Office-and-Clerks
For the entire article, view the link : http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/report-finds-loose-spending-by-dekalb-officials/nhqw7/
NOTE: Stay tuned for our take on this so-called audit. We have not done a complete review as of this date. However, a preliminary perusal of this report leave us with a lot of questions to be asked and answered.
Restore Public Trust Memorandum to the FBI, GBI and Inspector General
MEMORANDUM
TO: CHRIS CAMPBELL, SPECIAL AGENT WITH DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
FROM: VIOLA DAVIS
SUBJECT: RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST MEMORANDUM TO THE FBI, GBI AND INSPECTOR GENERAL
DATE: OCTOBER 23, 2014
CC: U.S. ATTORNEY SALLY QUILLIAN YATES, CEO LEE MAY, DEKALB BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY ROBERT JAMES, JERALD DALTON, BARBARA SANDERS, RESTORE DEKALB AND ALL APPROPRIATE PARTIES
Restore Public Trust Memorandum to the FBI, GBI and Inspector General
By Viola Davis RN BSN
October 23, 2014
Four reasons DeKalb County vendors/contractors request expansion of the investigation by the FBI, GBI and Inspector General into Purchasing and Contracting, Public Works, IT and Watershed.
I, Viola Davis, with Unhappy Taxpayer & Voter, submitted a 2nd amendment to the ethics complaint to restore public trust against Kelvin Walton, former Director and Chief Procurement Officer of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting and Nina Hall, former Executive Assistant/Secretary to CEO Burrell Ellis, and former Project Manager in the Watershed Department.
With the support of Restore DeKalb, we presented evidenced in a Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint, Amendment I, that provided evidence and testimony of sworn statements by both Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall of lying to a special grand jury, taking money and/or service for personal gain, and engaging in alleged public corruption in purchasing and contracting within a DeKalb County government department. We have submitted over 420 pages of written documentation to justify Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall’s removal from the taxpayers and voters payroll.
DeKalb County has recently reorganized the Purchasing and Contracting Department that has allegedly caused ten people, thus far, to lose their jobs. Yet, the taxpayers and voters financed the salaries of Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall until October 7, 2014. Why?
It’s time for us to come to the reality that this local government has been in a crisis for far too long. As a watchdog group, we have complained for years about a “cloud of corruption” that gives DeKalb County a bad reputation as well as a black eye hindering economic development and decreasing public trust.
How can DeKalb County reorganize and cause ten people to lose their job while forcing the taxpayers and voters by continuing to pay two employees that clearly engaged in alleged illegal activity? Why did Interim CEO Lee May continue to keep Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall suspended “with pay” after such conclusive evidence and written documentation existed?
We need a full forensic audit to expose the “true” financial picture, shortfalls, and alleged criminal activity within the Watershed and Public Works Department. We need a full forensic audit of the IT and Purchasing and Contracting Department. We need an answer to the question, “Is there any criminal activity that should be prosecuted”?
Vendors and Contractors have requested a full criminal investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Inspector General (under RICO) into alleged criminal activity to include:
I. Hopie Strickland’s complaint to the Inspector General:
Bid-rigging (See Exhibit A)
False Documentation (evidenced of fraudulent checks – See Exhibit B, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3)
Part 1:
False Documentation – Exhibit B Part 1
Part 2:
False Documentation – Exhibit B Part 2
Part 3:
False Documentation – Exhibit B Part 3
Violation of the False Claims Act – (See Exhibit C)
Violation of the False Claims Act – Exhibit C
Fraud – (See Exhibit D)
Kickback, Up-Charging and over-billing – (See Exhibit E)
Kickbacks, Up-charging, and Over-billing – Exhibit E
Tax Fraud – (See Exhibit F)
II. Complaints from Vendors/Contractors alleging criminal activity:
A majority of the documentation above involves a vendor named, Hopie Strickland. DeKalb County staff members were present and/or involved during a majority of the meetings detailing complaints of alleged criminal activity.
However through an Open Records Request, we have identified additional vendors and complaints alleging violation of policy and procedure, violation of the LSBE Ordinance and alleged criminal activity to include:
1. R. Harris requested assistance from Purchasing and Contracting:
a. Complaint of Pass through
b. Disagreement with practice of co-signing checks to another company
c. Complaint of fraud
2. M. Mikell’s letter to Purchasing and Contracting:
a. In March 2010, the DeKalb County Auditor questioned Mikell concerning payments
b. Felton Williams and Sharon Walker were contacted by M. Mikell; however, no follow up on concerns
c. Complaint of fraudulent acts
d. Complaint of major “cover up” by DeKalb County staff
e. Requests and concerns have fallen on “deaf ears”
f. Complaint of unethical behavior and alleged fraudulent schemes/tactics
3. Email from A. Jones to Park and Recreation Department/ Purchasing and Contracting:
a. Complaint of alleged illegal activity involving single bid process
b. Purchasing Department and Parks and Recreation Department set out to target a specific entity which is illegal in itself
c. Complaint that the business did not exist at the time of the RFP
III. The 2012 Special Purpose Grand Jury strongly recommended the District Attorney criminally investigate over 10 people in addition to Burrell Ellis:
A Special Purpose Grand Jury was impaneled on January 20, 2012 pursuant to O.C.G.A 15-12-100 to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the bidding, awarding and management of contracts in the DeKalb County Department of Watershed Management during the period of January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2010.
The special grand jury’s final report and presentment of its yearlong investigation into alleged corruption in county watershed department stemming back to the beginning of former CEO Vernon Jones’ administration strongly recommended the District Attorney criminally investigate the following individuals for possible indictment in addition to Burrell Ellis to include:
A. William “Wiz” Miller – Obstructing a criminal investigation.
B. Jabari Simama – Manipulation of selection committee process, perjury and bid-rigging.
C. Roy Barnes – Bid-rigging, kickbacks and perjury.
D. Hadi Haeri – Theft, false writings, perjury and bid-rigging.
E. Nadine Maghsoudlou – Theft, false writing, perjury and bid-rigging.
F. Vernon Jones – Bid-rigging and theft.
G. Paul Champion – Manipulation of the ITB process, false writings, theft and perjury.
H. Kevin Ross – Interference with government operations, manipulation of the RFP/ITB process and bid-rigging.
I. Jeffrey Walker – Theft, bid-rigging and perjury.
J. Christian Vann – False writings
K. John Willis and possibly, other individuals with Brown and Caldwell – theft, bid-rigging and perjury.
We need the FBI, GBI and/or Inspector General to expand their investigation to include the people mentioned in the special grand jury report if District Attorney Robert James continues to place his focus on Burrell Ellis instead of the ten people recommended for investigation and possible indictment.
IV. It is alleged that a Commissioner’s personal property was repaired with taxpayers’ money:
We were approached by several people alleging a DeKalb County Commissioner’s personal property was repaired with taxpayers’ money. Upon receiving the complaint, we submitted Open Records Request to obtain documentation to support the complaint. We spent over two weeks trying to get our Open Records Request answered. However, we would often experience excuses and one mistake after another that limited the information we received. Due to the number of mistakes (intentional or unintentional), we have reason to believe there are some validity to the allegations. We were given permission by one of the people making the allegation to forward the complaint to the FBI and Inspector General. We were informed the initial complaint was made to the District Attorney’s officer; however, no actions were ever taken against the Commissioner in question.
Until we place restoring public trust as a top priority, taxpayers, property owners, homeowners and business owners recommend the Board of Commissioners, those that remain, to immediately demonstrate the value they place in restoring public trust in our local government by enacting the following changes:
• Establish and fund an Internal Auditor.
• Creation of a new anti-corruption unit within the DeKalb Police Department, in concert with the FBI and GBI.
• Support the Board of Ethics and maintain its independence.
We are asking the FBI, GBI and Inspector General to demonstrate the value they place in restoring public trust in our local government by expanding their investigation to include Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall as well as staff persons in the Purchasing and Contracting Department, Public Works Department, IT and Watershed.
There are many DeKalb County taxpayers and voters that value restoring public trust and removing this “Cloud of Corruption”. We need the law enforcement agencies to take immediate action to restore public trust by removing this “cloud of corruption”.
Should CEO Lee May continue to refuse to enact a forensic audit of Purchasing and Contracting, Public Works, IT and Watershed, we respectfully request that the FBI, GBI and Inspector General exercise its given power to expand its investigation to include these department as well as Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall, based on our presentments to the Board of Ethics, such as:
Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint – Original
Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint – 1st Complaint
1st amendment – Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint
Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint – Original/Initial Complaint
2nd amendment – Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint
1st Amendment – Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint
We strive to present enough documentation and evidence to have this case classified as a RICO case.
Respectfully submitted,
Viola Davis
Community Missionary
Convicted Commissioner wants her pension
Convicted Commissioner wants her pension
By Catie Beck, WXIA-TV
October 16, 2014
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. (WXIA) – She admittedly stole thousands of taxpayer dollars, and now she’s hitting them up for more money.
Former DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer has applied to get her full pension from the county – and has been approved.
“It’s outrageous,” said Restore DeKalb member Joel Edwards. “It just doesn’t make any sense at all.”
Edwards says the county watchdog group is needed now more than ever
.
“It’s disbelief,” he said. “They can’t believe it.”
Edwards and other members of the group are outraged to learn that after Boyer admitted to stealing money from the county, she’s now asking for more of it in the form of a pension.
“A lot of people have come to me and voiced their concerns about the elected leaders in this county in disbelief,” Edwards said.
Link for the video and article:
Please read the AJC article by Johnny Edwards below:
Ex-DeKalb commissioner Boyer will get full pension benefits
By Johnny Edwards
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
October 15, 2014
After apologizing to DeKalb County taxpayers for fleecing them through fraud schemes, ex-commissioner Elaine Boyer hit them up for more money.
Boyer has applied for her county retirement payments, and DeKalb’s pension board will grant her full benefits. That means the crooked former politician, who is 58, will collect tens of thousands of dollars a year for the rest of her life. The county could even be paying her while she’s in prison.
Under Georgia law, public officials and employees convicted of crimes related to their duties should have their benefits reduced by three times the economic impact of their misdeeds, which would have Boyer giving up nearly $300,000. But DeKalb’s attorneys determined she falls in a legal loophole.
So Boyer will get about $23,000 per year, starting with a check early next month for more than $3,800 to cover October and November….
Taxpayers are losing big on the deal, said Viola Davis, a south DeKalb resident who leads the DeKalb Unhappy Taxpayer and Voter group. Even if Boyer pays restitution, it would likely cover only the purchasing card and kickback schemes uncovered by the FBI, not what might turn up in an exhaustive audit of the past decade of Boyer’s spending.
Also vexing, Davis said, is that taxpayers might be making pension payments to former employees implicated, but not charged, in the investigation that led to suspended CEO Burrell Ellis’ prosecution. A jury is deliberating whether he illegally strong-armed vendors into giving him campaign donations. Former purchasing chief Kelvin Walton, the star witness against Ellis and an admitted liar, is reportedly under federal investigation on allegations of receiving cash payments from a sewer contractor.
“Believe me, I’ve run into people who are just totally disgusted with the whole way this process is working out,” Davis said. “I mean, we’re going to be paying them, despite all the wrong they’ve done.”
Read the entire article at the following link:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-law/ex-dekalb-commissioner-boyer-will-get-full-pension/nhj2k/
Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint: Amendment II with Exhibits A, B, C, D, E and F
Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint: Amendment II with Exhibits A, B, C, D, E and F
By Viola Davis RN BSN
October 13, 2014
The ten reasons DeKalb County vendors/contractors demand Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall be fired
I, Viola Davis, with Unhappy Taxpayer & Voter, submit this 2nd amendment to the ethics complaint to restore public trust against Kelvin Walton, former Director and Chief Procurement Officer of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting and Nina Hall, former Executive Assistant/Secretary to CEO Burrell Ellis, and former Project Manager in the Watershed Department.
With the support of Restore DeKalb, we presented evidenced in a Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint, Amendment I, that provided evidence and testimony of sworn statements by both Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall of lying to a special grand jury, taking money and/or service for personal gain, and engaging in alleged public corruption in purchasing and contracting within a DeKalb County government department. To date, we have submitted over 350 pages of written documentation to justify Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall’s removal from the taxpayers and voters payroll.
DeKalb County has recently reorganized the Purchasing and Contracting Department that has allegedly caused ten people, thus far, to lose their jobs. Yet, the taxpayers and voters continue to finance the salaries of Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall. Why?
It’s time for us to come to the reality that our local government has been in a crisis for far too long. As a watchdog group, we have complained for years about a “cloud of corruption” that gives DeKalb County a bad reputation as well as a black eye hindering economic development and decreasing public trust.
Now we are faced with the serious issue of having local politicians indicted for illegal activity and violation of their oaths of office. Yet, a few politicians continue with the same excuses that interfere with the quality of life our community deserves. Our county employees, police and firemen have gone over five years without raises or even a cost of living increase until this last budget year. When will the crisis end? When will a high quality of life and increased public trust begin?
The title of an article, “Ten Reasons DeKalb Vendors Demand Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall Be Fired”, was written to educate the public on facts they may not be aware of and to apply “heat” to Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May to take action and fire two employees who have clearly engaged in alleged criminal activity. The reasons stated in the article to fire Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall include:
1. Kelvin Walton funneled cash from vendors to a county employee who served on approximately fifteen selection committees for DeKalb County projects. The employee’s name is Nina Hall, formerly the executive assistant/secretary to CEO Burrell Ellis.
2. Kelvin Walton headed a department that practiced out-of-control nepotism and cronyism that fueled alleged criminal activity. Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall violated their job descriptions. Yet, Interim CEO Lee May suspended Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall with pay at a combined taxpayers’ payroll cost of approximately $228,800.
Kelvin Walton’s job description violations include:
One – Reviews procurement activities/documents for compliance with establishing purchasing procedures, federal, state, and local laws. Kelvin Walton violated the established policy and procedure of Purchasing and Contracting and placed the taxpayers and voters of DeKalb County at risk for litigation.
Two – Develops and maintains good business relationships with vendors’ personnel through professional, impartial, and objective dealings with all suppliers, including problem resolution. Hopie Strickland and Alessandro Salvo were denied a fair hearing to resolve their problems that identified alleged criminal activity.
Three – Directs the Contract Compliance division to ensure efforts are being made to foster economic growth of M/WBE/LSBEs by developing First Tier and Second Tier purchasing opportunities. The alleged criminal activity adversely affected the minority companies and forced many to engage in activity that violated the policy, procedure, and LSBE ordinance.
Four – Manages the Invitation to Bid and Request for Proposal process for the county. Kelvin Walton’s alleged criminal activity made a mockery of the bid process.
Five – Mediates disputes between end users and supplies, when necessary. Hopie Strickland and Alessandro Salvo were refused fair mediation.
Nina Hall’s job description violations include:
One – Plans and organizes special events, public hearings, and meetings. Nina Hall refused to plan a meeting between Hopie Strickland and CEO Burrell Ellis because she allegedly knew that Strickland made claims of bid-rigging, kickbacks, false checks, etc. Hall was not hired to serve on the selection committees which allegedly enabled Hall to carry out the will of Kelvin Walton in return for “kickback” funding.
Two – Responds to request for information from CEO and BOC and prepares reports containing findings and recommendation. Reports on problems within the Purchasing and Contracting Department were withheld from CEO Burrell Ellis.
Three – Drafts correspondence for approval of superiors (CEO, Executive Assistant/COO, BOC, etc.) necessary for responding to citizens inquires. Hopie Strickland, a DeKalb County vendor, went years with his complaints being ignored.
Four – Acts as liaison to citizen groups and special teams created to review special projects. Hopie Strickland was denied a meeting with CEO Burrell Ellis because of the close relationship and alleged criminal activity Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall managed to operate undetected.
3. Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall engaged in acts of alleged criminal activity that produced conflicts of interest.
Please view the following videos:
(1) DeKalb County News Sewer Project Corruption:
(2) Whistleblower against DeKalb employees believes he was targeted:
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/whistleblower-against-dekalb-employees-believes-he/nYyxx/
(3) DeKalb special grand jury recommends 12 for criminal investigation:
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/breaking-grand-jury-report-documents-alleged-corru/nZYYD/
(4) DeKalb Corruption witness discusses experience:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/dekalb-corruption-witness-discusses-experience/nbdsZ/
http://www.ajc.com/videos/news/key-dekalb-county-corruption-witness-breaks/vCHKrz/
(5) DeKalb Corruption against LSBE Vendors:
4. Kelvin Walton, under oath, willfully lied multiple times during his May Special Purpose Grand Jury Testimony and Walton admitted under oath that he lied to the Grand Jury.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/229056323/State-vs-W-Burrell-Ellis-Supplement-to-Supplemental-Motion
5. Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall both refused to answer questions and pleaded the fifth, citing the self-incrimination rule. Kelvin Walton refused to answer 343 questions for fear of self-incrimination. Nina Hall refused to answer 30 questions for fear of self-incrimination.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/dekalb-official-refuses-answer-343-questions-fear-/nfDKt/
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid836881587001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAFIvhljk~,Nz7UFI321EYoDFWhcIAZKj2ZX6ZuGWU-&bclid=1138058770001&bctid=3799988018001
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/government-employees-testify-against-dekalb-ceo-el/nhRtX/
6. Kelvin Walton assisted elected officials and high staff officials in engaging in alleged criminal activity causing an investigation which involves the FBI, US Attorney General, Department of Revenue and the Inspector General.
7. Nina Hall first denied ever receiving gifts or cash from vendors under oath. However, she eventually confessed to receiving cash from Kelvin Walton that allegedly came from Michael Hightower.
8. Kelvin Walton accepted a gift/service from a vendor of cash value without paying for the service.
9. Vendors and employees’ complaints that identified waste, mismanagement, alleged illegal activity by contractors and Kelvin Walton were ignored.
10. Board of Commissioners and DeKalb County staff members’ conflicts of interest that were a cause of action for major media investigations were incorrectly based on information and advice given by Kelvin Walton.
We are asking the Board of Ethics to send a message that we want the madness to end. The local government should focus on the needs of the public, provide a high quality of life, and restore public trust.
We are depending on the Board of Ethics to act and fire Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall if Interim CEO Lee May refuses to do his job by terminating them immediately from the taxpayers’ payroll.
How can DeKalb County reorganize and cause ten people to lose their job while forcing the taxpayers and voters to continue to pay two employees that have clearly engaged in alleged illegal activity? Why has Interim CEO Lee May continued to keep Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall suspended “with pay” after such conclusive evidence and written documentation exists?
We need a full forensic audit to expose the “true” financial picture and shortfalls of Watershed and Public Works Department. We need a full forensic audit of the Purchasing and Contracting Department. We need an answer to the question, “Is there any criminal activity that should be prosecuted”? Vendors and Contractors have requested a full criminal investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation into alleged criminal activity to include:
Bid-rigging (See Exhibit A)
False Documentation (evidenced of fraudulent checks – See Exhibit B, Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3)
Violation of the False Claims Act – (See Exhibit C)
https://www.scribd.com/doc/242750407/Restore-Public-Trust-Ethics-Complaint-Amendment-II-Exhibit-C-D-E-and-F?secret_password=Es5GX59EJUy1wVKrzELZ
Fraud – (See Exhibit D)
Kickback, Up-Charging and over-billing – (See Exhibit E)
Tax Fraud – (See Exhibit F)
Until we place restoring public trust as a top priority, taxpayers, property owners, homeowners and business owners will have increased lack of trust in our local government. We are asking that the Board of Ethics recommend the Board of Commissioners, those that remain, to immediately demonstrate the value they place in restoring public trust in our local government by enacting the following changes:
• Establish and fund an Internal Auditor.
• Creation of a new anti-corruption unit within the DeKalb Police Department, in concert with the FBI and GBI.
• Support the Board of Ethics and maintain its independence.
We are asking our Board of Ethics to demonstrate the value they place in restoring public trust in our local government by firing Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall if Interim CEO Lee May refuses to immediately do so as we have requested.
There are many DeKalb County taxpayers and voters that value restoring public trust and removing this “Cloud of Corruption”. We need the Board of Ethics to take immediate action to restore public thrust by removing this “cloud of corruption”.
Should CEO Lee May continue to employ Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall with pay, we respectfully request that the Board of Ethics exercise its given power to terminate Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall based on our presentments to the Board of Ethics, such as:
Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint – Original
1st amendment – Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint
2nd amendment – Restore Public Trust Ethics Complaint
Respectfully submitted,
Viola Davis
Community Missionary
Kelvin Walton Resigned and Nina Hall was Fired: We were Victorious!
Kelvin Walton Resigned and Nina Hall was Fired. We were Victorious!
We were victorious! We are proud to announce that Kelvin Walton has resigned and Nina Hall was fired.
We delivered a demand letter on behalf of vendors and contractors who had filed complaints against Kelvin Walton, former Director and Chief Procurement Officer of the Department of Purchasing and Contracting and Nina Hall, Former Assistant to CEO Burrell Ellis, and former Project Manager with the Watershed Department. Due to prior complaints, sworn testimony, and evidence of alleged criminal activities, Vendors and Contractors registered with DeKalb County Purchasing and Contracting Department demanded Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall be fired.
DeKalb Purchasing Director Kelvin Walton, who secretly recorded conversions with Ellis, also is now the target of a federal investigation, according to Channel 2 Action News. Walton allegedly received several $1000 payments from a company called Metals and Materials Engineers (MME), which has received millions of dollars in DeKalb County Contracts, according to Channel 2 Action News. Read the entire article at http://www.ajc.com/news/news/dekalb-employees-depart-in-wake-of-ellis-trial/nhdgm/
The local government should focus on the needs of the public, provide a high quality of life, and restore public trust.
Please view:
Ten Reasons DeKalb Vendors Demand Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall Be Fired
Ten Reasons DeKalb Vendors Demand Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall Be Fired
By Viola Davis RN BSN
October 1, 2014
The ten reasons DeKalb County vendors demand Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall be fired
It’s time for us to come to the reality that our local government has been in a crisis for far too long. As a watchdog group, we have complained for years about a “cloud of corruption” that gives DeKalb County a bad reputation as well as a black eye hindering economic development and decreasing public trust.
Now we are faced with the serious issue of having local politicians indicted for illegal activity and violation of their oaths of office. Yet, a few politicians continue with the same excuses that interfere with the quality of life our community deserves. Our county employees, police and firemen have gone over five years without raises or even a cost of living increase until this last budget year. When will the crisis end? When will a high quality of life and increased public trust begin?
The title of this article, “Ten Reasons DeKalb Vendors Demand Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall Be Fired”, strives to educate the public on facts they may not be aware of, and apply “heat” to Interim Chief Executive Officer Lee May to take action and fire two employees who have clearly engaged in alleged criminal activity. The reasons to fire Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall include:
1. Kelvin Walton funneled cash from vendors to a county employee who served on approximately fifteen selection committees for DeKalb County projects. The employee’s name is Nina Hall, formerly the executive assistant/secretary to CEO Burrell Ellis.
2. Kelvin Walton headed a department that practiced out-of-control nepotism and cronyism that fueled alleged criminal activity. Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall violated their job descriptions. Yet, Interim CEO Lee May suspended Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall with pay at a combined taxpayers’ payroll cost of approximately $228,800.
3. Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall engaged in acts of alleged criminal activity that produced conflicts of interest.
4. Kelvin Walton, under oath, willfully lied multiple times during his May Special Purpose Grand Jury Testimony and Walton admitted under oath that he lied to the Grand Jury.
5. Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall both refused to answer questions and pleaded the fifth, citing the self-incrimination rule. Kelvin Walton refused to answer 343 questions for fear of self-incrimination. Nina Hall refused to answer 30 questions for fear of self-incrimination.
6. Kelvin Walton assisted elected officials and high staff officials in engaging in alleged criminal activity causing an investigation which involves the FBI, US Attorney General, Department of Revenue and the Inspector General.
7. Nina Hall first denied ever receiving gifts or cash from vendors under oath. However, she eventually confessed to receiving cash from Kelvin Walton and allegedly Michael Hightower.
8. Kelvin Walton accepted a gift/service from a vendor of cash value without paying for the service.
9. Vendors and employees’ complaints that identified waste, mismanagement, alleged illegal activity by contractors and Kelvin Walton were ignored.
10. Board of Commissioners and DeKalb County staff members’ conflicts of interest that were a cause of action for major media investigations were incorrectly based on advice given by Kelvin Walton.
It’s time for DeKalb County taxpayers, homeowners and business owners to send a message that we want the madness to end. The local government should focus on the needs of the public, provide a high quality of life, and restore public trust.
We need a full forensic audit to expose the “true” financial picture and shortfalls of Watershed and Public Works. We need a full forensic audit of the Purchasing and Contracting Department. We need an answer to the question, “Is there any criminal activity that should be prosecuted”? Vendors and Contractors have requested a full criminal investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation into alleged criminal activity to include:
• Bid-rigging
• False Documentation (evidenced by fraudulent checks)
• Violation of the False Claims Act
• Fraud
• Kickbacks, Up-Charging and over-billing
• Tax Fraud
Until we place restoring public trust as a top priority, taxpayers, property owners, homeowners, and business owners will have increased lack of trust in our local government. We ask our Board of Commissioners, those that remain, to demonstrate the value they place in restoring public trust in our local government by enacting the following changes:
• Establish and fund an Internal Auditor.
• Creation of a new anti-corruption unit within the DeKalb Police Department, in concert with the FBI and GBI.
• Support the Board of Ethics and maintain its independence.
If there are people that value restoring public trust and removing this “Cloud of Corruption”, we need your help in convincing Interim CEO Lee May to immediately fire and remove Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall from the DeKalb County taxpayers’ payroll. If the CEO continues to refuse to fire Kelvin Walton and Nina Hall, we need Interim CEO Lee May to explain to the rest of us the reason, “Why”?
Increase Property Value and Avoid Overpaying Property Taxes
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2014
FROM: Viola Davis, Founder
Restore DeKalb
P.O. Box 831894
Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
CONTACT:
Phone: 404-573-2813
Email: RestoreDeKalb@gmail.com
Website: http://restoredekalb.org
People’s Forum II: Increase Property Value and Avoid Overpaying Property Taxes
Suspect you’re overpaying property taxes and/or asking if you should appeal your property tax assessment? Appealed your property taxes and do not understand the process? Have you asked for ways to increase your property value and address violations that decrease your property value?
Homeowners and Property Owners who appealed their 2014 DeKalb County Real and Personal Property Tax Assessment need to attend the forum at Sanford Realty Company Conference Center, 4183 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30035 on October 11, 2014 at 9:30am.
This forum will help educate and assist homeowners and property owners in understanding the appraisal, appeal, and assessment process. The forum will provide information on how to file a complaint against violations that decrease property value.
The confirmed presenters include:
· Calvin C. Hicks – Chief Appraiser
· Debra DeBerry – Clerk of Superior Court
· Byron Scott – Board of Equalization (BOE) Supervisor
Restore DeKalb strives to educate DeKalb County taxpayers and voters on how to save hundreds, or even thousands of dollars a year with almost no drawbacks by appealing the property tax assessment. The process is free (Board of Equalization). If you think your property is being over assessed and need help with the appeal process, Restore DeKalb looks forward to educating homeowners and property owners to increase property value and avoid overpaying their property taxes.
Remember, the first installment of DeKalb’s 2014 real estate and personal property taxes is due on September 30th.
Download the flyers:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/241438495/Increase-Property-Value-and-Avoid-Overpaying-Property-Taxes
Restore DeKalb Presents People’s Forum I & II – September 13th at 9:30am
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2014
FROM: Viola Davis, Founder
Restore DeKalb
P.O. Box 831894,
Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
CONTACT:
Phone: 404-573-2813
Email: RestoreDeKalb@gmail.com
Website: http://restoredekalb.org
Restore DeKalb Presents People’s Forum I & II
PEOPLE’S FORUM I & II
Learn what the politicians don’t want you to know at the Sanford Realty Company Conference Center, 4183 Snapfinger Woods Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30083:
• Forum I – September 13, 2014
• Forum II – October 11, 2014
• Both start at 9:30am
- HELP RESTORE $100 MILLION TO DEKALB COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM (DCSS)
- HELP STOP THE REMOVAL OF OVER $100 MILLION DOLLARS FROM DCSS SINCE 2006 TO TAX POOR/RECEIVER COUNTIES SUCH AS GWINNETT.
- HELP RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST (UPDATE ON ETHICS COMPLAINTS)
We are forwarding links to the petition, resolution, flyers, and brochure (etc.) for Restore 100+ Million to DeKalb County School System. If we had this money, we would have enough money to finance the following:
• We would not need the money from cell towers on school grounds
• We would have enough money to finance charter clusters
• We would have enough money to increase the pay of our school employees
• We would have enough money to finance the needs of our refugee students
• Etc.
1. Restore $100 Million To DCSS – Resolution: http://www.scribd.com/doc/208057170/Restore-100-Million-To-DeKalb-County-School-System-DCSS-Resolution
2. Restore $100 Million To DCSS – Petition: http://www.scribd.com/doc/208056402/Restore-100-Million-To-DeKalb-County-School-System-DCSS-Petition
3. Restore $100 Million To DCSS – Brochure Front: http://www.scribd.com/doc/208055182/Restore-100-Million-To-DeKalb-County-School-System-DCSS-Brochure-Front
4. Restore $100 Million To DCSS – Brochure Back: http://www.scribd.com/doc/208055888/Restore-100-Million-To-DeKalb-County-School-System-DCSS-Brochure-Back
5. Restore $100 Million To DCSS – Flyer Front: http://www.scribd.com/doc/208053232/Restore-100-Million-To-DeKalb-County-School-System-DCSS-Flyer-Front
6. Restore $100 Million To DCSS – Flyer Back: http://www.scribd.com/doc/208054138/Restore-100-Million-To-DeKalb-County-School-System-Flyer-Back
7. Restore $100 Million to DCSS – PowerPoint Presentation: http://www.scribd.com/doc/208788430/Restore-100-Million-to-Dekalb-County-School-System-DCSS-Restore-DeKalb-Presentation-PDF-File
8. Restore DCSS Funding Video: Redistribution of Wealth – DCSS with Tom Bowen: http://youtu.be/xW38VZ-lOKM
9. Restore DCSS Funding Video: Inequity in Funding & Redistribution of Wealth with Rep. Billy Mitchell:
Elaine Boyer Resigns and Plans to Plead Guilty
Former DeKalb County Commissioner Charged With Stealing County Funds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2014
ATLANTA – Elaine Boyer, the former Commissioner of District 1 in DeKalb County, Ga., has been arraigned on charges relating to her embezzlement of county funds and misuse of her DeKalb County credit card.
“As an elected County Commissioner, Ms. Boyer had a duty to serve the best interests of the citizens of DeKalb County,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “Instead of honoring that commitment, Ms. Boyer stole from the citizens she was sworn to serve by diverting thousands of dollars in county funds to her personal bank account and using her county-issued credit card like it was her own.”
J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “Public corruption based investigations often stem from actions that would be seen as clearly improper and illegal to the average person. The charges in this case, however, reflect criminal actions of a twenty-two year veteran DeKalb County Commissioner who knew fully the nature of her actions and she will now face the consequences of those actions. The FBI places a high priority toward investigating allegations of public corruption due to the extensive harm that it can cause on many levels and we ask that anyone with information regarding such allegations to please contact their nearest FBI field office.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: In DeKalb County, Ga., the Board of Commissioners (“BOC”) serves as the legislative branch of the DeKalb County Government. The BOC is comprised of seven part-time commissioners, who are elected to serve four-year terms. Each of the seven Commissioners is responsible for the management of their respective offices, which includes controlling the offices’ budget and hiring staff members, contractors, and consultants. In recent years, the operating budget for a Commissioner’s office has been approximately $250,000 per year. The Commissioners may use their budget only for county-related business.
Since 1992, Ms. Boyer served as the Commissioner of District 1, which serves citizens in north DeKalb County, including in Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Tucker, and Smoke Rise, Ga. Among other responsibilities, Ms. Boyer sat on the BOC’s Finance, Budget, and Audit Committee and was the Chairwoman of the Employee Relations and Community Services Committee. Boyer’s term of office was to expire in 2016; however, Boyer resigned yesterday.
In September 2009, as the Commissioner of District 1, Ms. Boyer retained an individual (“Advisor”) supposedly to assist her with government consulting and advisory duties on issues that affected her constituents. From September 2009 to November 2011, false invoices were submitted to Ms. Boyer’s office for consulting services purportedly rendered by Advisor. In fact, Advisor performed no services for Ms. Boyer, District 1 constituents, or DeKalb County. Ms. Boyer used the false invoices as a basis to authorize payments to Advisor. Based on requisition requests from Ms. Boyer, DeKalb County mailed approximately 35 checks to Advisor for consulting services that were never performed. In total, DeKalb County paid Advisor more than $78,000, believing that legitimate services had been performed for the county.
After being paid by DeKalb County, Advisor funneled approximately 75% of the money received from DeKalb County into Ms. Boyer’s personal bank account. Between September 2009 and November 2011, Advisor deposited more than $58,000 in DeKalb County funds into Ms. Boyer’s personal bank account (while retaining the remainder of the money). In turn, Ms. Boyer used the money deposited into her account to pay personal expenses, including purchases at hotels and high-end department stores.
Additionally, in her capacity as a Commissioner, DeKalb County issued Ms. Boyer a Visa Purchasing Card (“P-Card”) to make county-related purchases. On January 14, 2010, she signed a Cardholder Users’ Agreement stating she would not use the P-Card to make personal purchases.
From October 2010 to February 2014, Ms. Boyer made more than 50 personal purchases on her P-Card, including purchasing airline tickets and hotel rooms for herself and her family for personal travel. In total, she made over $15,000 worth of purchases on her P-Card for personal goods and services.
Elaine Boyer, 57, of Stone Mountain, Ga., was charged via Criminal Information with conspiring to committed mail fraud and with wire fraud. She is scheduled to plead guilty at 3:00 p.m., on September 3, 2014, before U.S. District Court Judge Orinda D. Evans.
Members of the public are reminded that the information only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey W. Davis and Kurt R. Erskine are prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office atUSAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division ishttp://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/.