Current:Home > ScamsA jury acquits officials of bid-rigging charges in a suburban Atlanta county -ProfitPioneers Hub
A jury acquits officials of bid-rigging charges in a suburban Atlanta county
View
Date:2025-04-17 02:33:57
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Three elected officials in a suburban Atlanta county have been acquitted on charges that they tried to illegally steer a contract for janitorial work at a county building.
Jurors on Friday returned verdicts of not guilty on the charges against Douglas County Commission Chairwoman Romona Jackson Jones, County Commissioner Henry Mitchell, Douglas County Tax Commissioner Greg Baker and businessman Anthony Knight, WAGA-TV reported.
Prosecutors had alleged that the three officials in 2018 had tried to influence a contract that benefitted S&A Express, a business owned by Knight.
Jones and Mitchell had been suspended from office by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2023 and will now resume their posts. Baker was never suspended because a panel that looked into the charges against him recommended to Kemp that he remain in office while charges were pending.
Jones described the verdict as “amazing.” She has been running for reelection this year despite her suspension and said the verdict improves her chances of beating a Republican opponent.
“It certainly changes the game,” Jones told the television station. “I believe the voters will speak in November and they will speak loud and clear because they know who I am now.”
Prosecutors declined to comment.
Both the former county administrator and a former county purchasing director had testified against the officials in a trial in recent weeks. The former purchasing director, Bill Peacock, was initially charged and later granted a separate trial and immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony. Peacock told jurors he felt pressured by commissioners to award the contract to Knight’s company.
veryGood! (938)
Related
- Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
- NFL hot seat rankings: Mike McCarthy, Nick Sirianni among coaches already on notice
- Montana Democrat Busse releases tax returns as he seeks a debate with Gov. Gianforte
- Food inflation: As grocery prices continue to soar, see which states, cities have it worse
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Police say 10-year-old boy shot and killed 82-year-old former mayor of Louisiana town
- Auburn police fatally shoot man at apartment complex
- Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Chestnut sets record in winning hot dog eating rematch
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- Emma Navarro reaches her first major semifinal, beats Paula Badosa at the US Open
Ranking
- How breaking emerged from battles in the burning Bronx to the Paris Olympics stage
- James Darren, ‘Gidget’ teen idol, singer and director, dies at 88
- Jewel supports Chappell Roan's harassment comments: 'I've had hundreds of stalkers'
- When is NFL Week 1? Full schedule for opening week of 2024 regular season
- Residents worried after ceiling cracks appear following reroofing works at Jalan Tenaga HDB blocks
- Republicans were right: Zuckerberg admits Biden administration censored your Facebook feed
- A vandal shatters windows and doors at Buffalo City Hall
- Alabama sets mid-October execution date for man who killed 5 in ax and gun attack
Recommendation
Everything Simone Biles did at the Paris Olympics was amplified. She thrived in the spotlight
This Fall, Hollywood tries to balance box office with the ballot box
Wrong-way crash on Georgia highway kills 3, injures 3 others
Gymnast Kara Welsh’s Coaches and Teammates Mourn Her Death
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
FBI arrests former aide to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul
Montana Democrat Busse releases tax returns as he seeks a debate with Gov. Gianforte
Highlights from the first week of the Paralympic Games in Paris