Atlanta HR Director Fired for Abuse of Power Following Investigation

The city of Atlanta has fired its human resources manager after discovering that she created a position for her daughter at city hall despite her lack of qualifications for the job.

Tarlesha Smith’s firing comes after an investigation by the city’s law department, prompted by a report released by the Office of Inspector General in May.

The office found that Smith had created a position as a compliance analyst in the city attorney’s office for his daughter, Bridget. The position came with an annual salary of about $52,000, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

However, Bridget not only allegedly got the job before it was publicly announced, she was never interviewed. Additionally, the report details Smith’s retaliation against a supervisor who questioned his daughter’s qualifications for the position.

Bridget asked

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telework after her on-site training, but she misinterpreted the in-person attendance requirements for the position. When her supervisor denied the request, Bridget became “disengaged” and unpunctually absent, according to the report obtained by the Journal-Constitution

When the supervisor brought the matter to light, HR placed the girl on administrative leave. Smith also suggested disciplinary action. The city’s independent investigation confirmed the inspector general’s findings that Smith had abused his power not only by getting his daughter the job, but also by taking “adverse actions” against the supervisor.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens had originally appointed Smith to the top job in 2022. Atlanta COO LaChandra Burks disclosed Smith’s firing for misconduct in a July 25 letter to the city council.

“We take allegations of wrongdoing very seriously, especially if they involve a leader of the organization,” she wrote.

The city is now looking for a replacement for Ms Smith. In the meantime, an interim human resources commissioner has already taken her place.

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