John Lampl, former Morrow city manager and one-time city council member, can't set foot on city property -- except streets – until he goes to trial on charges stemming from his time in public service.
Clayton County Superior Court Judge Albert Collier said Lampl's two near identical letters notifying four city officials that he intended to sue for alleged damage to his reputation were not enough to revoke his $80,000 bond and send him to jail until his still unscheduled trial, but Collier felt compelled to act.
“I do find these letters, as addressed to witnesses in this case, an inappropriate contact with a witness,” Collier said in a Thursday hearing. "But I can modify the bond conditions. [Lampl] cannot go on any property owned by the city.”
Out of bounds areas for Lampl include parks, City Hall and the police department, the judge said.
“He can use streets to go place to place,” Collier said. “He is not to have any other contact with city employees. He’s not going to take a step on any property of the city.”
Lampl faces eight felony charges that include perjury, making a false statement and conspiracy in restraint of free and open competition in regards to a failed Olde Towne Morrow project. The development that sits empty beside I-75 was pitched as a tourist attraction and a quaint shopping destination. Morrow still owes about $9 million for the discontinued project.
Lampl was Morrow city manager for 17 years before becoming director of Morrow Downtown Development Authority, for which he pushed through the Olde Towne Morrow project.
He became a city council member in a special election in March 2010, and the problems with Olde Towne Morrow were discovered in an investigation resulting from the city finance director’s complaint that Lampl had created a hostile work environment for him.
Lampl was removed from the Morrow City Council last May and arrested the following month.
According to testimony, Lampl sent letters to the mayor, city manager, Morrow director of human resources and the city clerk notifying them of his legal plans, which is required by state law before a government can be sued.
Former Mayor Jim Millirons, who left office this week, said both letters were “threatening and retaliatory,” and that such a lawsuit would “financially ruin the city.”
“We’d be wrecked,” Millirons said.
Defense attorney Brian Steel said Lampl sent the letters only to preserve his right to sue the city.
“He has not tried to contact anyone, intimidate anyone, bribe anyone,” Steel said.
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