Bell accused of inappropriate touching

By MARCUS K. GARNER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Clayton County Commission chairman and former Atlanta Police Chief Eldrin Bell is being investigated for touching inappropriately and making inappropriate comments to a female county employee.

County chief of staff Alex Cohilas said the employee filed a complaint last week that Bell “had engaged in inappropriate behavior toward her” during an employee appreciation picnic.

“It was reported up to the director of personnel, and came to the office of the board of commissioners,” Cohilas said late Wednesday night.

“It now resides in the hands of chief staff attorney Michael Smith.”

Smith declined to comment Thursday morning.

Bell, who is single, said he is “deeply saddened and disheartened” by the allegations in a statement released Thursday morning.

“Employees should be able to come to work and know the environment will be comfortable and free of any inappropriate conduct of any kind,” Bell, 73, said in the statement.

Check for more updates at AJC.com

— Staff writers Megan Matteucci and Alexis Stevens contributed to this story.