Tuesday, January 15, 2013

CEO’s Adviser Avoids Testifying In DeKalb Corruption Probe

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The former campaign manager of DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis is a target of a widening corruption probe, a Superior Court judge ruled Monday in agreeing that attorney Kevin Ross can’t be forced to testify in the investigation.

Judge Mark Anthony Scott’s ruling released Ross from appearing before the special grand jury investigating allegations of kickbacks on contracts in the county’s water and sewer department. It also laid clear that the investigation is focused additionally on campaign contributions made to Ellis and county contracts, including to firms Ross went on to represent after Ellis’ election to the county’s top post in 2008.

That’s because state law does not allow the target of an investigation to appear before a grand jury, lest it give too much power to a prosecutor to ask questions without an opposing attorney present, according to the motion obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

 “Forcing him to appear … would only serve to embarrass and humiliate him,” wrote Ross’ attorney, Seth Kirschenbaum, a former federal prosecutor and one-time attorney for Andrea Sneiderman, the Dunwoody widow facing charges in the death of her husband, Rusty.

Ellis, the county’s top elected official who runs the county government’s daily operations, wasn’t able to avoid that fate. He was testifying before the grand jury last week when investigators from District Attorney Robert James’ office seized possible evidence indicating political corruption from his home and office and those of Ross.

A spokesman said Monday that Ellis has not hired an attorney to represent his interests in the investigation.

Both Ellis and Ross deny wrongdoing. In 2010, though, the AJC reported that Ross acknowledged that shortly after Ellis took office in 2009, he urged the CEO to cancel and rebid contracts held by competitors of a firm he represented.

In one instance, for ambulance service, the company Ross represented got the contract. Ellis later rescinded his cancellation of the deal for probation services, but said Ross did not influence any of his decisions.

The search warrants executed last week detail those contracts and a handful of others with companies that Ross represents, seeking evidence of racketeering, bid rigging and other possible crimes.

Erik Burton, a spokesman for the DA’s office, did not return calls seeking comment. By law, the special grand jury meets in secret to review evidence.

Its findings must be compiled in a final report, which the district attorney can then present to a regular grand jury to decide if anyone should be charged with a crime.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nothing says GUILTY like trying to avoid testifying at all costs. What do you have to hide, Mr Ross?? And isn't this the judge that was Vernon Jones's fraternity brother? Conflict of interest?

Anonymous said...

Why was the police public corruption unit shut down ?

Anonymous said...

ON the subject of Rural Metro Ambulance contract: check out the Campaign Financial Records of Boyer and May - years 2010 thru 2012. It's public inform. on the State Ethics Dept. website....available on all BOC members...imagine seeing contributions to both commissioners from Rural Metro Corp., in Arizona. $1,000.00 3/2/12 to May. While you're at it check out the "contributions" to May from El Noa Noa and La Rumba. We know anyone can make a contribution-right? nothing suspicious about this. I'm just saying... draw your own conclusions. "Inquiring minds want to know".

Anonymous said...

ANSWER THIS

Why was the police public corruption unit shut down ?

Anonymous said...

4:58PM asked an excellent question. The public corruption unit was shut down because they uncovered public corruption. Who shut them down would be the next logical question. The answer to that question is Ellis and Wiz Miller. Things that make you go hmmmmmm.

Anonymous said...

Why was the police public corruption unit shut down ?

Anonymous said...

This club owner that you speak of making contributions is very well intertwined in corruption in the county. That is why his establishment was magically grandfathered after the news came calling. The DA needs to look into his business practices also. I know that a lot of my coworkers will take his defense but we all know why.

Anonymous said...

Why was the police public corruption unit shut down ?


Everybodt repeat, maybe the news will pick it up.

Anonymous said...

Where is our Pension Minutes? I see the 25k website has been updated with the 2013 meeting dates, but no Meeting Minutes since July??

Ed? FOP? Robbie? ANYONE?!?!

Meeting Minutes

July 12, 2012
May 03, 2012
March 8, 2012
February 16, 2012
February 8, 2012
December 15, 2011
September 1, 2011
July 14, 2011
May 19, 2011

Anonymous said...

"Whoa whoa whoa! You weren't supposed to uncover our corruption! We're shutting you down!"

Anonymous said...

Anon 7:56
Looks like since your post some commisioners have removed or amended certain contributions from their list. Freakin hilarious.....just shows how guilty they are.