At Monday’s City Council meeting, council member Michael Julian Bond introduced legislation that requests the city’s Department of Human Resources Commissioner to implement a policy and ensure that all elected and appointed officials and managers are aware of ethics rules.
Bond referenced the Hobbs Act, enacted in 1946, that criminalizes robbery and extortion. It is one of the core corrupt act statues employed to address state and local corruption.
The Hobbs Act defines extortion as obtaining property from another, with his consent, induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right. It includes as a violation the misuse or potential misuse of a public official’s power for personal profit. A Hobbs Act violation would include the acceptance of cash in exchange for a promise to vote favorably on a matter.
“This legislation adds another arm to our ethics and accountability in city government. It would develop policy that will hold folks accountable and restore trust in the individuals who represent and work in our government,” Bond said.
The legislation asks the Human Resources Commissioner to provide an update to the Finance/Executive Committee on the status of the policy within 60 days of adoption.
The legislation will be heard before the Finance/Executive Committee at its next meeting 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at in Committee Room No. 1 at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue SW.
About the Author
