Politics
Politics

Paper trail at City Hall leads to recycling bin

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, standing in front of boxes of documents related to the City Hall bribery investigation during a February press conference. The city has used an outside law firm for the past year to help it identify and prepare documents for the public, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, standing in front of boxes of documents related to the City Hall bribery investigation during a February press conference. The city has used an outside law firm for the past year to help it identify and prepare documents for the public, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
By
Nov 16, 2017

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution revealed Wednesday that the city of Atlanta has racked up more than $1.4 million in legal bills for producing records tied to the ongoing bribery scandal at City Hall.

A fraction of that expense went toward copying, redacting and boxing 1.4 million pages of records that were turned over to the media at a Mayor Kasim Reed press conference Feb. 9. Some 450 banker’s boxes stuffed with paper — much of it blank — filled the old city council chambers at City Hall, and proved the mayor’s declarations about the unprecedented release of public records.

What happened to all that paper?

ExploreFind out in the AJC’s special report on the legal costs of the bribery investigation.

About the Author

Dan Klepal is editor of the local government team, supervising nine reporters covering county and municipal governments and metro Atlanta. Klepal came to the AJC in 2012, after a long career covering city halls in Cincinnati and Louisville, Ky. He has covered Gwinnett and Cobb counties before spending three years on the investigative team.

Follow Dan Klepal on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Jon Ossoff

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

Fundraising deadline puts 2026 hopefuls in Georgia to the test

The second quarter fundraising reports, due in the coming days, are a critical test for Georgia's topline candidates.

2m ago

Republicans push for election skeptics to oversee Atlanta-area voting

The Republican Party is pushing for voter challengers and election skeptics to take over seats on election boards in Fulton and DeKalb counties in Georgia.

Fentanyl, IVF and China: Some of the Georgia laws that begin Tuesday

New Georgia laws taking effect July 1 include new penalties for fentanyl possession, protections for in vitro fertilization, protectionist moves against China and more.

The Latest

Jon Ossoff

Credit: Zaire Breedlove

Fundraising deadline puts 2026 hopefuls in Georgia to the test

2m ago

Fentanyl, IVF and China: Some of the Georgia laws that begin Tuesday

‘Nothing fancy. Just love’: Former Gov. Nathan Deal remarries in intimate ceremony

Featured

People carrying a giant pride flag participate in the annual Pride Parade in Atlanta on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Corporate pullback from LGBTQ groups leaves Atlanta organizations in the lurch

Some Atlanta LGBTQ groups are reevaluating their programming and staffing in light of the reduced support.

Atlanta mayor: Property tax hike needed to keep up with population growth

Andre Dickens said a property tax hike is almost unavoidable, as Atlanta’s leaders work to keep up with population growth that brings increased demand for city services.

GDOT’s roadside helpers return to 24/7 service

The highway helpers who patrol metro Atlanta’s interstates will return to 24/7 service on Tuesday, just in time for the busy holiday weekend.