College Park residents have wondered whether a municipality can break laws without facing repercussions — and whether elected officials such as Councilman Roderick Gay, who has been at the center of numerous controversies involving financial decisions, alleged intimidation and, most recently, leaving the scene of a car collision, can avoid investigation.
Since March 2024, residents, including Mayor Bianca Motley Broom, have filed numerous complaints with the Georgia Attorney General’s Office regarding city council actions with no substantive response.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday that the Secretary of State’s Office has begun an investigation into the use of funds for the Citywide Festival held in Gay’s Ward 4 district on Oct. 11.
Now, a new voice has emerged, bringing concerns to the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. The information has given residents a sense of hopeful momentum.
Terry Jackson, the former finance director for the city of College Park, has reported concerns and “observations” about the city’s administration and governance to the DA’s Anti-Corruption Unit, according to a letter posted on the “Speak Up College Park” Facebook page. Jackson, who resigned in recent weeks, told residents he left for the sake of his physical and mental well-being.
A phone call to Jackson was not returned. SaportaReport has contacted the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office to inquire about a possible investigation.
Jackson wrote that during his time as finance director, he witnessed “a stark deterioration in the working government.”
“A lack of fiscal oversight and the absence of proper governance structures have left us vulnerable,” said Jackson, who is a city resident. “…Resulting in essential matters being inadequately reviewed and vetted before approval.”
Who has the reins?
Earlier in October, the U.S. District Court in Atlanta ruled in favor of College Park, upholding a January 2024 ordinance that prevents Mayor Motley Broom from participating in council debate.
During two consecutive city council meetings, Motley Broom left the dais to speak during public comment as a resident, criticizing the approval of hundreds of thousands of dollars tied to agenda items. Many, she said, were placed on the consent agenda — where no explanation or discussion is required — or, even when listed on the regular agenda, were approved without substantive discussion.
“If we can’t explain what something costs and why it’s needed, we have no business voting on it,” Motley Broom said to council last Monday.
In what she called “dangerous” spending, Motley Broom said, “Projects get announced before budgets are finalized. Consultants are hired without clear deliverables. Council members are directing funds without procurement documentation or competitive quotes, even when required.”
College Park’s current state raises the question: how is the city being run if the council restricts the mayor’s powers?
Meanwhile, scrutiny is intensifying around City Manager Lindell Miller and her professional relationship with Gay.
At the Citywide Festival, Miller, standing on a stage, publicly urged the crowd to vote for Gay in the upcoming November election.
She was hired in May after the termination of her predecessor and four other employees.
In an interview last summer, the former employees alleged that Gay had ordered them to make improper invoice payments, including to Miller, and separately directed them to issue invalid code violations against residents.
Before becoming city manager, Miller had worked as a purchasing contractor for College Park. Sometime after leaving that role, Gay allegedly sought to have a $5,000 payment issued to her without the invoice passing through proper channels, the fired employees said.
Former City Manager Dr. Emmanuel Adediran said in June that on several occasions, Gay submitted invoices directly to him, bypassing the purchasing department.
Residents increase pressure for transparency
During public comment at the most recent City Council meeting, resident James Walker accused council members of treating public funds “like Monopoly money.”
Another resident, Randy Godfrey, raised concerns about the $900,000 in community enhancement funds allocated to each governing member for the current fiscal year. The funds can be spent at each official’s discretion, with $500,000 designated for capital projects and the remainder for non-capital expenditures.
Godfrey was referencing a general ledger report, published by the mayor on her website a few weeks ago. It details how each member has spent their funds to date. In many cases, the spending report prompted more questions than answers.
“Dollars are leaving the city accounts without clear justification, and residents are left to wonder what value they received in return,” Godfrey said.
He issued a “call to action,” urging the council to freeze discretionary spending, authorize an independent audit of each account, and establish quarterly public reporting.
“So that the people who pay for this government can see where their money goes,” he said.
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