Atlanta inspector general warns new City Council legislation could ruin leadership transparency
Will Atlanta's Inspector General lose its teeth?
Atlanta's Inspector General claims new legislation to give her office more oversight is actually turning the clocks back on progress the city had made in rooting out corruption. The independent watchdog agency has come under fire by city employees for allegedly seizing cellphones and checking cash app accounts. Even Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' office has found itself at odds with the inspector general.
ATLANTA - Atlanta's Inspector General warns legislation introduced this week will gut her office and turn the clock back on attempts to weed out corruption, fraud and misconduct at City Hall.
The independent watchdog agency has come under fire by city employees for alleged tactics and procedures.
Even Mayor Andre Dickens's office has found itself at odds with the IG.
The legislation is sponsored by longtime Council member Howard Shook and six of his colleagues.
The IG says if it passes, it will rip the teeth out of her office.
Shannon Manigault, Atlanta's Inspector General, sits down with FOX 5 Atlanta for a one-on-one interview on Dec. 4, 2024. (FOX 5)
"We have had delays. We've had obstruction. We've had disclosure of our requests," said Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault.
She is disappointed in legislation introduced Monday by Shook to limit the authority of the independent office in its effort to hold city employees and officials accountable.
Currently, stakeholder organizations nominate board members to oversee the IG, but Shook's legislation would change the charter.
"It takes the additional step of creating a mayoral board, so right now the board of the inspector general and the language in the charter says the board is there to ensure the independence of the office. That model, which is a great one, and one that had been lauded by other cities," Shannon Manigault affirmed.
That could soon go away. The IG believes all Atlantans should be alarmed by this.
Another new aspect, the new board would appoint an inspector general, which could leave Manigault searching for a new job.
"Always what is important is what's best for the institution. It's not about Shannon Manigault. It's about the citizens of Atlanta having trust in this office that's supposed to build trust in city government," the IG said.
Manigault says the proposed legislation also does away with the IG getting immediate access to employee documents.
"Rather than have immediate access of records, we need to root out fraud, waste, and corruption in the city. We have to go to employees, and it's voluntary as to whether those employees are gonna provide city records and city property. That's unheard of," the top attorney explained.
The legislation was introduced Monday.
There will be an opportunity to make changes to it next week during the finance committee meeting.
The Source: This is part of continuing coverage from FOX 5 Atlanta reporter Aungelique Proctor.