Common Cause Georgia is calling for Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond to resign after admitting more than a dozen violations of the city’s ethics code.
“This was an egregious enough act that we felt he needed to step down,” Common Cause executive director William Perry told the City Council on Tuesday.
Perry said the organization is pressing for Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard to pursue criminal charges related to the abuse of public taxpayer dollars for personal gain.
Last week, Bond agreed to pay more than $15,000 in fines and restitution for more than a dozen violations of the city’s ethics code.
The veteran councilman is accused of billing the city to travel to his family reunion, using city funds and staff time to create DVDs and pins for his high school class reunion and accepting thousands of dollars worth of tickets to events such as the annual DragonCon comic convention held in downtown Atlanta.
Bond said Tuesday that he respects Common Cause, but doesn’t plan to resign.
“I will ask the public again for their forgiveness and will make another public declaration to them that I am going to recommit myself to public service,” he said.
Bond said he’s living his “dream job” but understands “it is a privilege. And I will continue to do it as long as the people will allow me.”
In a negotiated agreement with the city’s ethics board, Bond admitted guilt and agreed to pay $3,900 in fines and $11,320 in restitution.
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