Local

Johns Creek council will subpoena mayor's private records

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — The Johns Creek City Council is moving forward with an investigation into the mayor.

The council voted 4-1 Thursday night to issue subpoenas for the private cell phone and leasing records of Mayor Mike Bodker. Bodker is up for re-election in November.

Supporters of Bodker loudly booed after the vote, Channel 2's Carl Willis reported.

The City Council hired outside counsel to investigate Bodker in June.

"This action follows several reprimands of Mayor Bodker about certain questionable actions he's taken over the last several years," Councilman Randall Johnson said in an email at the time.

Attorney Robert Wilson says he has not had cooperation from Bodker and has yet to receive records he asked for more than 40 days ago.

"Why is he not providing documents that quite frankly can be turned over in a day," Johnson said Thursday.

Bodker said he's not turning over documents because he doesn't know what is being investigated. He wants a clear link between his alleged violations as mayor and his personal life.

"I have nothing to hide, but at the end of the day what I do have is some element of privacy," Bodker said.

Wilson remained cryptic during the hearing.

He did say that the mayor uses his personal cell phone for the city's business and he needs to see incoming and outgoing calls to either support or discredit evidence that he's found.

"If the proof is beneficial to the mayor and it clears him then that is great. If it is not beneficial to the mayor then so be it," Wilson said.

The mayor says this is nothing more than a politically motivated stunt in an election year. He estimates the investigation has cost taxpayers $50,000.

"There is no question what this is," he said. "My opponent (Bev Miller) has wanted to run for this position for multiple years. There are multiple council members who want me off of council."

"Why are you bringing it up seven years later when he's up for re-election?" added council member Kelly Stewart. Stewart was the lone vote against the resolution.

Willis spoke with Bodker's opponent in the mayoral race, but she chose not to comment.