Atlanta

Government employee says you're paying him to do nothing

By Richard Belcher, WSB-TV
By Richard Belcher, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — An employee at the Fulton County Health Department is complaining about doing too little work.

Kenny Rucker told Channel 2 Investigative Report Richard Belcher that he's done little or no work for a couple of years, and his bosses know it.

“I am supposed to be a disease investigator, go out and treat folks who've been infected with TB,” Rucker told Belcher.

“When's the last time you saw someone person-to-person who had TB?” Belcher asked.

“October 2013,” Rucker answered.

Belcher first met Rucker 18 months ago. He was unhappy the Fulton County Health Department was taking sometimes months to pay mileage reimbursement to workers who had to use their personal cars for community work. The records seemed to bear it out, so Channel 2 Action News did a story. Since then, Rucker says his work has basically stopped.

“I've gotten my mileage money, but they've taken me off my job. I don't do my job anymore,” Rucker said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Rucker is assigned to a community health center on Sunset Avenue in northwest Atlanta. Belcher visited him four times this week and each time he described his job as essentially work-free.

“Did you do any work this morning?” Belcher asked one time.

“I haven't done any work this morning. I've just been in the office doing, just sitting there,” Rucker said.

At one point, Belcher tried to get in to see Rucker in his office.

“We're hoping to see Mr. Rucker. Can you tell me what he does here?” Belcher asked the person at the desk.

“I can't tell you exactly what he does,” the person responded.

They wouldn’t let Belcher in the door but he could be seen through his office window perfecting what he says he does all day every day -- nothing. %

INLINE

%

“It's a waste of money. Taxpayers would be outraged. They should be outraged,” Rucker said.

The health department sent a statement late Wednesday that reads in part: “Employees who have questions about their assignments are advised to work with their direct supervisor … Management is aware of the concerns of the employee and has been working with him to address those concerns."

But Rucker told Belcher he’s heard from no one in management.

Cox Media Group

Most Read