It turns out that DeKalb County Commissioner Stan Watson has been billing DeKalb County for his personal cell phone. Over the past three years it adds up to almost $5000.
From the AJC
I can’t say I really buy the “but more people know my personal number” defense either. You’re an elected official. People put their trust in you to govern effectively and fairly. Not waste their money because you want to the County Government to pay for your monthly subscription to Verizon Navigation because you can’t find Google Maps.
Maybe there’s an argument that you can partially expense your personal cell phone bill to the county because you did county business on it. That’s fine, but all $140/month for three years? That’s stretching it.
The other money quote came from our own editor Stefan. And I don’t think I could have said it better.
From the AJC
Watson put $4,882 worth of cellphone costs on his county debit card between May 2011 and March 2014 for an average of about $140 per month paid by taxpayers, according to Verizon bills obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution through an open records request.This seems a bit ridiculous. I understand that sometimes you use your personal phone for work. I know I’ve done it; the only phone number I have is my cell. That being said, I don’t have a second work issued cellphone that is paid by the company (or in this case the government).
Watson, who represents about 350,000 residents in east DeKalb, said earlier this month that the expense was justified because he used his personal cellphone to talk with residents and government officials as part of his daily job as a commissioner.
“I do use my personal phone for county business. If the county thought it was wrong, why would they pay for it for three years?” Watson said. “I don’t see the big deal about the cellphone.”
I can’t say I really buy the “but more people know my personal number” defense either. You’re an elected official. People put their trust in you to govern effectively and fairly. Not waste their money because you want to the County Government to pay for your monthly subscription to Verizon Navigation because you can’t find Google Maps.
Maybe there’s an argument that you can partially expense your personal cell phone bill to the county because you did county business on it. That’s fine, but all $140/month for three years? That’s stretching it.
The other money quote came from our own editor Stefan. And I don’t think I could have said it better.
Stefan Turkheimer, an attorney whose practice includes political law and employment law, said charging the government for personal cellphone bills could amount to ethical and criminal violations.It all seems like just another day using taxpayers’ money in DeKalb county.
“If independent people were looking at it, they’d have a hard time justifying two cellphones,” Turkheimer said. “This is not an extension of his salary. Use of his P-card is not part of his benefits package. It’s something that allows him to do his job.”
14 comments:
What's funny is all of em are coming clean about wasteful spending only because they've been caught. Watson acts if he's doing us a favor by coming forward with his phone bill. Just another croney.
If Dr. Alexander is our god then that must make Chief Harris our savior. These two can walk on water and make miracles happen. It would be a miracle if the two of them had an ounce of integrity or ethics in them. We should all drink the snake oil they are selling and kneel down and worship them. They decided to have a active shooter scenario without telling everyone involved that it was a training exercise. So if an officer was injured or involved in an accident they would put the blame on the officer. Yes we need training but let's have training that does not place the officers and the public in danger. This is not a weekend warrior play army. I guess that Dr. Degree you bought online didn't come with any common sense.
Anon 2:44
This is the same Dr Alexander who told us that Burrell Ellis is an honest man, after the search warrants were served on Ellis. That's when he completely lost me. I wonder if he would've made the same statement if that had happened to an officer?
Who is Stan Watson's phone company? I'm willing to bet it is MetroPCS, who only offers unlimited calling plans, so I'm not sure why the tax payers should have to cover any of his bill. It's not like work calls added to his bill. Better yet, why didn't Stan just make his son pay his phone bill with some of the money he earned working at places Stan threatened unless they hired his kid?
I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet. If/since DeKalb County has been paying for Stan "the crook" Watson's personal phone bill then DeKalb County can pull all his phone record including texts to see what kind of shady dealings he is into. Scratch that maybe the FBI can.
I say round them all up and threw the book at them. First start with the 5th floor and work down. This mess does not make any sense how these dekalb employees are destroying this once great place to work.
Part of Dr. Alexander's job is to promote public safety and the department. Getting paid for public appearances............WTF..... that's what his salary is for. If he wants to go on the speaking trail like Clinton, Trump, or motovational speakers and snake oil salesmen then resign. This guy is an educated azzwipe from the word go and if it's deemed ethical it would be sinful.
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/vernon-jones-hiding-in-plain-sight-campaign/ngQm6/#cmComments
Jones overshadows anything else going on right now, for me, at least. Why aren't you writing about this??
I use my cell phone all the time for county business. Officers calling me calling the Lt and Capt. Taking pictures of perps and injured Officers. I will be submitting a reimbursement for tonight for the past three years. It's no big deal!
JUNE 23, 2014 AT 2:53 PM.... 21 me!
Well, if he'd been able get the kick backs in South Carolina, he might have been able to pay his own phone bill. Graft just isn't as easy to come by as it used to be. Give the crook a break!
Put a fork in Watson, hes done.
I heard just yesterday that an employee attempted to bring attention to the fact that "Dr" Alexander is attempting to seek payment for public appearances on this very blog. The post seems to be deleted and the employee placed on administrative leave. SMH! Watch your back ppl.
STAN WATSON & THE REST OF THE DEKALB THIEVES SHOULD BE IN JAIL,THERE ARE PEOPLE IN JAIL FOR LESS! LEE MAY & THE DA SHOULD SOON FOLLOW!WHAT IS THE FBI WAITING ON? IF NO ONE GO TO JAIL,CAN WE SAY THE FBI IS CROOKED TOO! I PRAY THEY ARE NOT CROOKED TOO. THAT ETHIC COMMITTEE IS A JOKE!EACH ELECTED OFFICIAL HAVE A PERSON ON THERE TO MAKE SURE NOTHING HAPPENS TO THEM,THAT'S WHY EVERYTHING IS THROWN OUT,IT'S A JOKE!
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