Atlanta's Office of Inspector General violated state law with subpoenas, city claims
ATLANTA - Atlanta officials claim that the city's Office of the Inspector General violated state law dozens of times by issuing at least 50 subpoenas without the required notice.
The announcement from the city came the same day the Atlanta City Council approved an ordinance draft that would modify the scope of the independent agency.
MORE: Atlanta inspector general warns new City Council legislation could ruin leadership transparency
The backstory:
The OIG was created back in 2020 after an embarrassing federal probe into corruption at Atlanta's City Hall that led to several people doing federal time.
Inspector General Shannon Manigault and officials at City Hall have been at odds over her office's allegedly aggressive tactics and procedures while trying to hold city employees and leaders accountable.
In December, Manigault released a report alleging that officials showed favoritism during the bidding process for a 311 software system.

Shannon Manigault, Atlanta's Inspector General, sits down with FOX 5 Atlanta for a one-on-one interview on Dec. 4, 2024. (FOX 5)
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She claimed that the vendor used its connections to Mayor Andre Dickens’ transition team to gain access to city officials.
The city wrote a letter responding to the report, calling it "erroneous" and criticizing the OIG’s investigative methods as "wholly unprofessional and inappropriate."
After the city's response, the Office of the Inspector General released a five-page letter saying the city's response was "uncivil" and full of "ad hominem attacks and accusations of political bias" to try and cast doubt on its findings.
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's office has found itself at odd with the inspector general.
In January, Atlanta City Councilmember Howard Shook introduced legislation that would change who oversees the OIG and create a new mayoral board that would appoint an inspector general, which could leave Manigault searching for a new job.
The inspector general claims that the new policy push is an attempt to weaken her office.
Allegations of state law violations
What we know:
According to the city, the OIG issued at least 50 subpoenas that violated Georgia law because they did not notify the individuals whose financial records were being subpoenaed.
Georgia law requires government agencies and officials to provide prior written notice to individuals who are the subject of the subpoenas.
City leaders claim that the lack of notification also exposed companies to liability by prohibiting them from notifying account holders.
The city filed a cease-and-desist letter to the OIG on Monday concerning the issue.
What they're saying:
"The failure to provide notice to the depositor … is not legal and it places the City of Atlanta at risk for potential liability for this intentional violation of Georgia’s Banking and Finance Laws," City Attorney Patrise Perkins-Hooker wrote in the letter. The implications of this violation are significant, as unauthorized access to financial records can lead to misuse of sensitive information and compromise individuals' financial security.
Mayor Andre Dickens has supported the Atlanta City Council's new legislation.
"Throughout this process, we have continually said that while there is no place for illegal or unethical behavior in the City of Atlanta, there also is no place for the OIG to conduct its business outside of the parameters set by law and policy," Dickens' Chief of Staff Odie Donald said. "No one is above the law. How the OIG conducts its duties is equally important as to why it exists in the first place."
The other side:
In a statement to FOX 5, the Office of the Inspector General said that it "has approached its subpoena process in good faith" and has created measures to ensure it adheres to state law.
"OIG first learned of the banking law subpoena notification requirement when the mayor’s office showcased the provision during the January 30 Council work session. Upon a review of the state law, OIG immediately initiated measures to comply and preserve account holder protections. Accountability is important and OIG owns its missteps. OIG had approached its subpoena process in good faith. This matter underscores OIG’s previously stated need for in-house counsel to ensure OIG stays abreast and adheres to applicable law. It should be noted that one or more of the subpoenas issued to financial institutions were issued in connection with criminal matter(s) referred to prosecutor(s)."
What's next:
The Atlanta City Council unanimously approved advancing the legislation involving the OIG on Monday night.
The legislation will now head back to the Committee on Council and the full council for a vote on its final adoption in two weeks.
The Source: Information for this report came from press releases by the Atlanta City Council and the city of Atlanta as well as a continuing series by FOX 5's Aungelique Proctor.