City Council orders forensic audit of mayor's p card transactions amid ethics concerns

A forensic audit of the mayor's purchase card transactions is now underway following a unanimous vote by the South Fulton City Council on January 28, 2025. The audit will cover transactions from October 2023 to the present, a period that coincides with the adoption of new city policies aimed at enhancing financial oversight.

Councilwoman Willis emphasized the importance of this timeframe, stating, "We are picking this time period because this is the time period that we have adopted our new policies." The council's decision reflects a commitment to transparency and accountability in city finances, particularly in light of recent concerns regarding the mayor's spending practices.

In addition to the audit, the council has also moved to engage outside legal counsel, Josh Belafonte, to represent them in an ethics complaint against the mayor. This step aims to ensure that any potential charter and ordinance violations are thoroughly investigated without bias. Council members expressed the need for an impartial approach, with Councilwoman Willis noting, "To try to take bias out of this ethics complaint being filed, we thought as a body, it would be best to hire a third party."

The council's actions signal a proactive stance on governance and ethics, as they seek to uphold the integrity of their office and address any potential misconduct. The outcomes of the audit and the ethics complaint will be closely monitored by both council members and the public, as they navigate this sensitive issue.