Atlanta Inspector General Says Investigations Hindered – WSB-TV Channel 2

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Manigault provided Channel 2 Action News with redacted emails showing a supervisor asking a recently interviewed employee to provide details about what he told investigators.

The Inspector General also says access to some data was revoked and document requests were treated as records requests. According to her, these actions slow down investigations and threaten their effectiveness.

“These actions aim to create a shell of an inspector general’s office and a facade of oversight,” Manigault said.

However, some city council members expressed frustration with the inspector general. Especially after they learned of the results of an investigation last week through the media.

“As the governing body of the city, I think we should have received the report before we heard about it on Channel 2,” Councilwoman Andrea Boone said during Monday’s meeting.

Last week, an investigation by the Office of Inspector General found that the commissioner of the Atlanta Department of Human Resources used her position to find a job for her daughter. The report further claims that when a supervisor attempted to discipline his daughter, the commissioner directed an investigation against that supervisor.

The mayor’s office said it has asked City Law to conduct an independent review of that investigation. This investigation plans to interview several people who have not spoken to the Office of Inspector General.

Councilor Boone also expressed concerns about the tactics used by the office. She claims several city employees complained about the inspector general “confiscating” cell phones, using cash apps and showing up at employees’ homes. Boone said it seemed more like a law enforcement activity.

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“Taking people’s equipment, taking their phones, knocking on their doors, that’s what the FBI does,” Boone told the city council Monday. “I implore this agency to conduct a thorough analysis of your office.”

Manigault responded by saying these tactics are common for an office whose job is to investigate.

“That’s what investigative entities do. That’s exactly what they do,” Manigault said.

Manigault said Channel 2 Action News Tuesday that his office needs those powers to do its job.

“In the case of municipal archives, there is no doubt that we should have access to all municipal archives, because we should be able to detect corruption wherever it resides in the city,” Manigault said.

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