[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6361090,"mediaKeyId","2171158-1fc7316a75c873888071970880a8b614","parentId",2171158,"title","Council work session exposes sharp disagreement over proposed OIG charter changes","audioSeconds",496,"startMs",227000,"endMs",723000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171158-1fc7316a75c873888071970880a8b614&start=227&end=723","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171158-1fc7316a75c873888071970880a8b614/thumbnail_227000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361090/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Council-work-session-exposes-sharp-disagreement-over-proposed-OIG-charter-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361090-5e2fe36fa7248ceb72b05f3945a9ab7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775760264&Signature=P~CGwzMVGo982MhWDW8bO3DOT0D~w9hOHz4ykzrdYTNG6yMfTKWKJakILApqaNK4k8m~ZF8hKCzsghNVUDsIIJuLo3NHa0q28HsoOC854KkX3Df7R9S6zz6mb8-wyNkWu75PI8ukcQ679QilD-kCfmLmWQIs0LoGgRFiTbjrQelh~iZ49~kFZou9Zxa0enjB7cTtA5qrWuzH9gMbY0aiVG-kjIClYkRNfGyDRmpubL7v5WNxDerqO9Xlo~V1HzkD-M0GDmYeeaFaE~qmsLX6pkD7d16mD7tdGI-N0GZpB8D8rr0HRFArcnu9-Arw4AVAdsER4yodY-GVti1qR6tYkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-31T04:17:03.007Z","article","Atlanta — City council and administration officials spent a two‑hour joint work session on Jan. 29 debating proposed changes to the city charter that would alter the Office of Inspector General’s powers and the oversight structure that governs it.

Inspector General Manigault, who led the OIG presentation, said the office has followed industry standards and rejected several allegations that prompted the legislation. “We’ve never collected or searched anyone’s personal property,” Manigault said, adding that some claims about OIG practices are “lies and misrepresentations” that need public rebuttal.

Why it matters: The substitute legislation under consideration would change how the OIG and a restored ethics board are constituted and how the OIG may use administrative tools such as subpoenas and access city devices. Supporters of the OIG warned changes could limit the office’s ability to detect and deter fraud, waste and corruption; backers of the substitute said the amendments would clarify procedure and protect employees’ rights.

The debate drew a national perspective when a representative of the Association of Inspectors General urged the council to pause the measure and consult experienced inspectors general. The Association representative said the current substitute would “not be in compliance with national standards.”

Administration officials, including Chief of Staff Donald, said the substitute is intended to add guardrails and clarify implementation questions that employees and departments have raised. Donald cited concerns about procedures for device access, attorney‑client privilege and notifications tied to administrative subpoenas, and argued the city needs “clarity” so employees and departments know how investigations will be handled.

Amber A. Robinson of the City Department of Law summarized recent wording changes in the substitute. Robinson said the substitute restores the term “corruption” in two charter sections and clarifies that “investigations conducted by the office of the inspector general are administrative in nature,” and that personnel in the OIG “shall not have the powers and abilities of law enforcement officers as defined in state law, including the ability to conduct criminal investigations.”

Multiple council members asked how the city should draw the line between administrative and criminal investigations and whether the OIG should retain authority to refer matters to prosecutors. An expert from the Association of Inspectors General told the committee that it is common for IG offices to issue administrative subpoenas and to work with courts or law‑enforcement partners if a matter becomes criminal. The expert described the usual sequence as an administrative subpoena followed by a judicial subpoena if a party refuses to comply.

Public commenters and union leaders warned that narrowing OIG authority would make it harder to uncover wrongdoing. Several speakers urged the council to protect the OIG’s independence and to avoid changes that they said would “defang” the office.

What’s next: Councilmembers and staff said they will continue to refine substitute language; no formal vote was taken at the work session. Committee chairs said they will seek more stakeholder engagement before returning legislation to a vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","#Atlanta FEC and COC Charter Amendment Join Work Session January 30, 2025 #atlpol","oneSentenceSummary","Atlanta — City council and administration officials spent a two‑hour joint work session on Jan. 29 debating proposed changes to the city charter that would alter the Office of Inspector General’s powers and the oversight structure that governs it.","taxTitle","Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",2959,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6361080,"Unions and administration clash over home interviews, subpoenas and device access in OIG investigations",1768,1986000,3754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171158-1fc7316a75c873888071970880a8b614&start=1986&end=3754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171158-1fc7316a75c873888071970880a8b614/thumbnail_1986000.jpg","/articles/6361080/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Unions-and-administration-clash-over-home-interviews-subpoenas-and-device-access-in-OIG-investigations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361080-72272b3caa7af3db33ed13345f8630eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775760264&Signature=NrBC74wrqNEDSxYeCDelJUlYPeYABcaq8macP93Ld9aR11onjBHwd8YyE7QfLZ6TK8VpUIVI7P-JefrKowA5eirw2YX5gPgEHQ0~oRPmRvFo1a-vvB9-Hk5Ahe6qJzlOmUfBfAHvcmv1bsQTPpJ0WLQVxTFWP1ItDBO1AAyEonB9gINY29m4F-ekMB~2am5f99cig0wURLhSuQPXhy8wslcYm4Gy83-PHSWU1puiDCTg4mHTuLwKXxewq2yGuAIhICs4DpDGIv-dbRnXJ8SBSpuIpu2Jq8Cg3GlAipA~YIFV6B79vPSZ3J842I9oA5XYTHQ~a~ErdXmmuaW4hhBtdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atlanta — City employees’ rights, subpoena rules and the OIG’s access to devices and records drew sustained attention at the Jan. 29 joint council work session.

Several union leaders and workers told the council they have been denied representation during investigations and that OIG investigators have, in at least one instance, appeared at employees’ homes without prior notice. Crystal Jeffrey, secretary‑treasurer of AFSCME Georgia, said: “This is a direct violation of the city charter, and it must be corrected immediately.”

Why it matters: The substitute charter language aims to define procedures for investigations, including whether interviews are voluntary or compelled, whether targets must be told their status (witness or subject), and how subpoenas and device access should be handled. Those details affect employee due process, legal privilege and the city’s exposure to liability.

Administration officials presented an example and said they had received an email from an employee describing an unannounced home visit by an OIG investigator. Chief of Staff Donald read an excerpt and played a short video excerpt the administration said showed an investigator approaching an employee’s home. Donald said the employee reported receiving a no‑caller‑ID call after a business card was left and that the investigator told the employee “yes, it's within my jurisdiction” when the employee asked if the home visit was appropriate.

Donald said the administration’s review of OIG subpoenas and procedures raised compliance concerns under state law that requires depositors be notified when financial records are sought unless a court directs otherwise. He told the committee that an open‑records review showed instances where banks were instructed not to notify account holders, and he said the city must add guardrails to ensure notification and protections for sensitive records.

Unions and employee advocates urged the council to codify worker protections. Gina Pagnotta of the Professional Association of City Employees (PACE) said employees must have the right to representation when interviewed in a way that could lead to discipline: “This right for representation is a fundamental protection for our members and all employees.” Crystal Jeffrey (AFSCME) repeated that investigators should inform employees at the outset whether the employee is a witness or the subject of the investigation.

Legal experts at the session cautioned that civil‑rights decisions such as Garrity and state open‑records law are sometimes misunderstood; Southern Center public policy director Tiffany Roberts said Garrity addresses compelled statements introduced in criminal court, not the use of administrative information in other proceedings. The Association of Inspectors General representative explained that administrative subpoenas are common and are often complied with; if an entity refuses, the usual path is to seek a judicial subpoena from a court.

What’s next: Councilmembers asked the law department and OIG for clearer, written procedures that address notification, representation, device and data access, and timelines. Several members signaled support for immediate, narrow fixes — for example, requiring prior notice before an unannounced home interview and clarifying representation rights — while broader charter changes will be subject to further review.","Atlanta — City employees’ rights, subpoena rules and the OIG’s access to devices and records drew sustained attention at the Jan. 29 joint council work session.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6361085,"Ethics office seeks specific wording, board composition and timing changes to Article 9",254,971000,1225000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171158-1fc7316a75c873888071970880a8b614&start=971&end=1225","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171158-1fc7316a75c873888071970880a8b614/thumbnail_971000.jpg","/articles/6361085/Atlanta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Ethics-office-seeks-specific-wording-board-composition-and-timing-changes-to-Article-9","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361085-79e29d34608995e92a310bcdfef589f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775760264&Signature=VCr477cQBzm9eiYYaI8QfiBoNZVsmed8~9xB2WN28tiSYfVJY00555sWT1yLECF6Z9JjIsew52kBLfPMT-EkQMGKAVGKIKvzVDNk9hLU9-wOzDvPgKvmKrg4k-HRuCtYHoaujrOHJumLUz~Br04kqdoMrXwtJiLV2ITc9DCFBDU~pWdm9FsbVuuTxUwMmyjRnqLXy~Y1FIDQpwr4skt1yTJimF27nOMPFBdlzz7N5ONSJxBKI~2QT~IDlxu5tyqPETp9eUp~ral8e2mak4ZAdg9jJmViw9jwcf-EoOhwO0WLe~6taSA2eMY3OHoo5x17gbtwXBybZL-BLxzMG~quSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Atlanta — The city’s ethics office used a Jan. 29 joint council work session to lay out targeted revisions to the proposed Article 9 charter language governing the city’s ethics function.

Jabu Sangova, who identified herself as the city’s ethics officer, told the council the ethics function should remain a distinct, clearly defined office and urged several specific changes to the substitute draft. “We do support that,” Sangova said when referring to the proposal that creates a chartered ethics function; she then outlined areas where the ethics office seeks restoration or clarification.

Why it matters: Article 9 defines the ethics office’s jurisdiction, the composition and functions of its governing board, and appellate procedures. Sangova told council members that changes in the substitute could limit the ethics board’s ability to perform its appellate role and could create conflicts if board members receive detailed briefings on open investigations they later must adjudicate.

Key requests from the ethics office included restoring the governing name to “Board of Ethics,” reintroducing the word “intentional” into a critical enforcement provision (section 9-101 F1), and revising a proposed requirement that three attorneys serve on the board. Sangova said the existing nominee pool (the Atlanta Bar Association and Gate City Bar Association) is too narrow to guarantee three attorneys and recommended adding a third nominating entity such as Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, or the Justice Center of Atlanta to broaden the pool.

Sangova also asked that the chair of the ethics board be an attorney but that the proposed five‑year investigatory‑experience requirement be removed so the chair position can be filled by attorneys from varied legal backgrounds (litigation, ethics/compliance, prosecution) with appellate hearing experience. On timelines, Sangova objected to a proposed 30‑day deadline for completing preliminary investigations, calling that window “too restrictive” and proposing a 90‑day period as more practicable.

The ethics officer said the office supports the substitute’s effort to prevent duplicative investigations by clarifying that OIG should not investigate matters that fall under the ethics office’s jurisdiction, but she warned that providing board members with detailed briefings on open investigations would create conflicts if the board later hears appeals.

What’s next: Council members and the law department indicated they will review the ethics office’s suggested language changes. Sangova and the ethics office requested that clarifications be folded into subsequent drafts of the substitute to preserve the ethics board’s appellate role and prevent procedural conflicts.","Atlanta’s ethics officer presented a list of suggested changes to proposed charter amendment Article 9, urging restoration of the board name, adjustments to nominating entities and changes to timeline and reporting provisions to prevent conflicts of interest and preserve appellate functions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council work session exposes sharp disagreement over proposed OIG charter changes

Unions and administration clash over home interviews, subpoenas and device access in OIG investigations

Ethics office seeks specific wording, board composition and timing changes to Article 9