BROOKHAVEN, Ga. — An investigation by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News has uncovered what some say is questionable behavior by a local city councilman.
The newly formed city of Brookhaven promised a smaller, transparent government free from interest groups when it formed, but records appear to paint a different picture.
"From everything I can tell, the mayor and City Council don't know how to run a city," Brookhaven resident Thomas Porter told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik.
Porter readily admits he wasn't in favor of forming the new city two years ago. He believes he's still right, based on what he's seen since.
Records uncovered by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News have Porter questioning whether the new city is fulfilling its promise of open, transparent government.
For example, finance records show that Councilman Joe Gebbia collected thousands of dollars in campaign donations from two businesses that later secured city work.
A high-speed car wash gave Gebbia $2,500 in donations. Gebbia later suggested the police chief hire them to wash squad cars.
"He's a half a mile from the police station. It made total sense to go there. It was the least expensive," Gebbia said.
Records show Gebbia also received more than $1,000 in donations from a law firm that got a contract to be city attorney.
Gebbia seconded the motion to hire them.
"In this particular case, even though campaign contributions were given, it had no impact on my decision," Gebbia said.
He told Petchenik the firm was the most qualified for the job.
"He was the most prepared. He showed the highest interest, participated in council meetings unpaid, on his own, just to pay attention to what was going on so he could be up to speed," Gebbia said.
Gebbia insists there was no "pay to play," and he did everything by the book. Gebbia is not facing any ethics sanctions at this point.
Coming up in this Sunday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, find out how one of the mayor's law firm employees ended up with a city job. Plus, the AJC digs into questionable actions by leaders in some of the other newly formed cities.
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