Investigators call DeKalb Co Government "rotten to the core"
Investigators call DeKalb County Government "rotten to the core". The investigators were appointed by county CEO Lee May last spring. Since then, they have gone through hundreds of thousands of documents and say they have found corruption in nearly every department.
Commissioner Nancy gesture says "things are very bad in DeKalb County; this is not a perception problem. This is a real problem."
Investigators say taxpayer money was used to buy liquor, catered meals, snacks, and even a cruise to the Bahamas for an employee.
In a letter to May, Investigators say they found misuse of county vehicles, theft of county property and even a bribery scheme involving a major county department.
Lee appointed the investigators last March saying he wanted transparency. After he received the letter from investigators, Lee issued a statement that reads, "I wholeheartedly disagree with the opinion that DeKalb County is rotten to the core. The overwhelming majority of DeKalb County employees are honest, decent, hardworking, and committed to public service."
DeKalb County resident David Baker says "I can't even wrap my head around this; it is such a gross negligence."
Commissioner Jester says the findings are shocking. She says people need to be held accountable. "We need to hold people's feet to the fire on this. Taxpayers are harmed and we won't stop wasting money until we root out this corruption.
A full report is expected to be handed over to the county in three weeks.