Disgraced ex-commissioner to run for Atlanta council

By D.L. Bennett


 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A once towering political figure in Atlanta who left office 20 years ago after he was convicted of extorting developers is trying for a comeback.

A. Reginald Eaves, former Fulton commissioner and one-time Atlanta top cop, qualified Thursday to run for Atlanta City Council.

He’s seeking the southwest Atlanta District 11 seat that Jim Maddox announced Monday he would give up after 32 years. Eaves, 74, was the fifth person, and easily the best known, to qualify.

Eaves, who did not immediately return calls Thursday afternoon, listed his profession as retired.

His candidacy was so shocking that many of his former contemporaries refused to address it.

Maddox said only, “I’m sure you haven’t heard the last of it. I’m sure more people will come forward.”

Eaves was Atlanta’s public safety commissioner in the 1970s, losing the post in a scandal over officers cheating on exams.

Federal prosecutors helped end his time on the Fulton commission 21 years ago. He was sentenced to six years in prison and $25,000 in fines for extorting payoffs in exchange for his zoning votes.

U.S. District Judge Orinda Evans also sentenced Eaves to five years of probation following his prison term and stipulated he could not hold office while incarcerated or on probation.

Qualifying closes at 4:30 p.m. today.