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AJC EXCLUSIVE: Bribery charge brought against DeKalb official

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Feb 13, 2015

A former DeKalb County official is facing a bribery charge in federal court.

Federal prosecutors accuse Jerry Clark, a member of the DeKalb Zoning Board of Appeals until 2013, of receiving $3,500 related to the alleged offense, according to criminal information released Friday.

Clark allegedly solicited and accepted a bribe in exchange for influence on transactions involving DeKalb County government, according to prosecutors’ court filing. The transactions were valued at more than $5,000.

It’s unclear who allegedly bribed Clark or what he may have provided in return.

Clark declined to comment when reached by phone Friday. His attorney, R. Gary Spencer, didn’t return a phone call seeking comment.

Clark is scheduled to enter a plea Thursday.

About the Author

Mark Niesse covers Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

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