Lamar Willis, a former attorney and Atlanta councilman who lost both his license to practice and seat in office two years ago, soon could have a say in the city’s real estate dealings.
Mayor Kasim Reed recently informed the Atlanta City Council that he is appointing Willis, a political ally, to the Fulton County/City of Atlanta Land Bank Authority. The authority helps redevelop abandoned and blighted properties and return them to productive use.
Councilmembers must now decide whether to confirm their former colleague, who lost his re-election bid just a month after he was disbarred for depositing roughly $30,000 intended for an injured child into his own coffers. At the time, Willis blamed the error on an administrative mix-up during a period of personal struggles.
Reed, who supported Willis during his last election, said in his recommendation that he’s confident the three-term councilman will serve with “integrity and dedication.”
But a taxpayer watchdog group sees cronyism at play.
“It’s politics as usual. It’s gotten to the point where we expect elected officials to appoint their friends,” said William Perry, executive director of Common Cause Georgia. “It’s not to say that Lamar is not qualified, but I’d be willing to bet that there are people out there with a greater level of expertise than he has.”
Willis, whose position on the authority board is unpaid, rebuffed that criticism this week. He pointed to his degree in urban studies from Morehouse and masters in policy analysis from Carnegie Mellon University as evidence that he’s fit for the role.
“If you’re a smart policy maker, and I think the mayor is a smart policy maker, you look for like-minded people who see your vision for this city and the region,” he said.
On Tuesday, Willis will return to City Hall to defend his qualifications to a council committee chaired by the man who defeated him less than two years ago: Councilman Andre Dickens.
Dickens, who was backed by former Mayor Shirley Franklin in an election battle marked by attack ads and anonymous robocalls, said he was “surprised” by Reed’s appointment.
He declined to indicate how he might vote, but said, “I’m not going to be afraid to state my concerns.”
Willis was seen as a rising star on the council when first elected in 2001. He played a key role in pension reform, pushed to create the Citizen Review Board and was an early champion of plans for the Atlanta Streetcar.
But much of his time in office was also marked by personal struggles and public controversies.
Long before he was disbarred, Willis also came under fire for failing to properly register a nonprofit that raised money for student scholarships. More than 100 children received scholarships through the foundation, which also provided free tennis camps, he said. Willis was fined $25,000 in 2009 by state officials for the registration violation.
Records show Willis also has been slapped with several liens for nonpayment of local and federal taxes. Documents show that in 2012, for example, Willis and his former wife had two federal tax liens against them for more than $70,000.
Willis said this week that the property taxes have since been paid and he’s on a payment plan to the IRS. The AJC wasn’t able to confirm these statements.
Willis is also being sued by a former client for his role in a real estate deal that turned sour — a case that is still pending in court.
The former politico, who now runs a mobile video gaming business, said that those issues distract from his commitment to Atlanta.
“If people pay attention to my legislative history and frankly my professional background as a policy person, they should feel very comfortable knowing that I’ve always done what is in the best interest of the city,” he said. “And that’s the only thing I’d do in this capacity as a board member.”
Willis’ appointment comes as the authority’s role is expected to grow. Councilwoman Joyce Sheperd is pushing for increased funding to the land bank, which according to public documents oversees properties near the new Atlanta Falcons stadium, Turner Field and other neighborhoods.
Willis is set to replace Paul Vranicar on the land bank board and, if confirmed, will serve a four-year term.
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