Another top Beltline executive is leaving the redevelopment project after an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation revealed spending that raised questions about the agency’s use of taxpayer dollars.
Richard Lutch, the Beltline’s chief financial officer, announced his resignation in a letter on Friday.
Beltline spokesman Ethan Davidson said it was a “personnel matter” and declined to comment, but Lutch had come under criticism after the AJC reported the agency spent taxpayer funds on pricey staff retreats, dinners at fancy restaurants and other questionable expenses.
His former boss, Brian Leary, was forced out of the agency in August after the newspaper revealed he charged taxpayers for a wedding gift, dry cleaning bill, parking ticket and other items that frustrated City Hall and upset watchdog groups.
Lutch couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday, but in his resignation letter he offered his help during the transition.
“I hope to make this an easy and amicable situation for both of us,” he wrote.
The Beltline, an ambitious project aiming to turn 22 miles of rail circling the city into trails and transit, is now being led by Lisa Gordon, who was the chief operating officer. The organization recently celebrated the long-awaited opening of a 2.25-mile trail from Piedmont Park to just north of DeKalb Avenue.
The board has acted swiftly to address concerns about its use of taxpayer funds.
It voted this month to adopt a strict new expense policy that specifically bans employees from charging taxpayers for alcohol, laundry costs, in-room meals at hotels, parking citations and a range of other expenses highlighted by the newspaper’s report.
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