Grand jury alleges widespread DeKalb corruption

A yearlong investigation into DeKalb contracting that was unsealed Wednesday recommended criminal charges against former DeKalb CEO Burrell Ellis and also recommended further investigation of former CEO Vernon Jones.

Ellis has been indicted for strongarming contractors for political donations, based in part on this investigation. The special purpose grand jury report, which has been under seal since January and presents a wider picture of DeKalb contracting, also recommends investigations of:

former public safety director William "Wiz" Miller
former Ellis chief of staff Jibari Simama, who is now president of Georgia Piedmont Technical College of DeKalb
former Ellis campaign manager Kevin Ross,
workers and contractors in DeKalb's Watershed Department.

The report also recommends a change in how county government is set up, singling out the CEO form of government as problematic.

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April Hunt

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