DeKalb Ethics

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PUBLIC REPRIMANDS

Reprimand of Vaughn Irons

On December 15, 2022, the DeKalb County Board of Ethics conducted a final hearing on the matter of Rhea Johnson against Vaughn Irons. Upon conclusion of the evidence, the Board of Ethics voted by a preponderance of the evidence to find the following violations of the Ethics Code by Vaughn Irons:

Vaughn Irons served as the Chairman of the DeKalb County Development Authority (“Development Authority”), while, simultaneously serving as the founder and CEO of th for-profit, private corporation, APD Solutions, LLC. (“APD”). Per its website, APD is a “community and economic development firm” serving “public and private sector organizations who are seeking ways to revitalize neighborhoods or grow local industry that result in vibrant and competitive places.” 

On April 10, 2012, the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners awarded a $1 million contract to Mr. Iron’s company, APD. Then Commissioner Stan Watson seconded the motion to award the contract to APD and voted in favor of the award. After leaving public office, Commissioner Watson admitted in a separate ethics matter that in April 2012, he became a paid “consultant” for
APD. At the time of the contract award, it was not disclosed that Commissioner Watson was a paid consultant for APD. The following are the payments to APD and Stan Watson: 

• Per County records, APD received a total of $972,000 for its contract with
DeKalb County. APD paid Stan Watson’s consultant fees totaling $19,800.
• 2012: APD received approximately $650,000 from DeKalb County. APD paid
Commissioner Stan Watson $6,800 in 2012.
• 2013: APD received approximately $250,000 from DeKalb County. APD paid
Commissioner Stan Watson $6,500 in 2013.
• 2014: APD received approximately $60,000 from DeKalb County. APD paid
Commissioner Stan Watson $6,500 in 2014.
• On September 29, 2015, the Board of Ethics issued a public reprimand to Mr.
Watson with regards to his undisclosed relationship with APD.

The actions of Vaughn Irons served as a clear violation of both Sections 22A(c)(2)(7) and 22A(d) of the Ethics Code. Section 22A(c)(2)(7) “prohibits any Dekalb official from engaging in any activity or transaction that is prohibited by law now existing or hereafter enacted which is applicable to him or her by virtue of his or her being an official or employee of DeKalb County.”

Section 22A(d) provides “every official… who has an interest that he or she has reason to believe may be affected … by the official acts or actions of another official or employee of DeKalb County shall disclose the precise nature and value of such interest by sworn written statement to the Board
of Ethics and ask for the board’s opinion as to the property (sic) of such interest… The information disclosed by such sworn statements, except for the valuation attributed to the disclosed interest, shall be made a matter of public record by the Board of Ethics.”

In light of the evidence presented and the violations found, the Board of Ethics is issuing this public reprimand pursuant to 22A(k)(B) of the Ethics Code and an indefinite suspension of Vaughn Irons or his company, APD, or all other businesses owned by Vaughn Irons, to contract with DeKalb County.

It is vital to the proper functioning of DeKalb County government that citizens have confidence in the integrity of their officials and employees and to attain this trust it is essential that the employees and officers do not impair public confidence in government.

As a DeKalb County employee, Vaughn Irons failed to uphold the ethical standards as required by the DeKalb Code and breached the trust of DeKalb citizens who rely on their government officials and employees. It is therefore necessary to reprimand and issue an indefinite suspension (pending
approval from the executive officer and the commissioners) of Vaughn Irons or his company, APD, or all other businesses owned by Vaughn Irons’ ability to contract with DeKalb County for his actions and violations of the DeKalb Ethics Code.

Elisa Murphy
Chief Ethics Officer
02/06/2023

Reprimand of Rashad Cash

On December 15, 2022, the DeKalb County Board of Ethics conducted a final hearing on the
matter of Malcolm Whichard against Rashad Cash. Upon conclusion of the evidence, the Board of
Ethics voted to find the following violations of the Ethics Code by Rashad Cash:

Rashad Cash had the responsibility of overseeing that the County facilities treating the public water
supply were adequately protected. Rashad Cash’s responsibilities were a key part of a $10.5
million public contract approved by the governing authority during his tenure as an employee with
DeKalb County. Rather than focusing on this public aim, Rashad Cash became unduly embroiled
in personal pursuits with contract security officers retained by the County as part of the public
contract. The Board of Ethics found beyond a preponderance of the evidence Rashad Cash had a
“gross conflict of interest” by becoming personally involved with these contract security officers
and engaged in retaliatory acts towards other officers and Department of Watershed Management
(“DWM”) employees in furtherance of his personal pursuits.

 The actions of Rashad Cash served as a clear violation of Section 22A (c)(1) of the Ethics Code,
which provides that “[n]o official or employee of DeKalb County shall . . . by his or her conduct
give reasonable basis for the impression that any person can improperly influence him or her or
unduly enjoy his or her favor in the performance of his or her official acts or actions or that he or
she is affected by the rank or position of or kinship or association with any person . . .” (Emphasis
supplied).

In light of the evidence presented and the violations found, the Board of Ethics is issuing this
public reprimand pursuant to 22A (k)(B) of the Ethics Code.

It is vital to the proper functioning of DeKalb County government that citizens have confidence in
the integrity of their officials and employees and to attain this trust it is essential that the employees
and officers do not impair public confidence in government.

As a DeKalb County employee, Rashad Cash did not uphold the ethical standards as required by
the DeKalb Code and breached the trust of DeKalb citizens who rely on their government officials
and employees. It is therefore necessary to reprimand Rashad Cash for his actions and violations
of the DeKalb Ethics Code.

Elisa Murphy
Chief Ethics Officer
02/08/2023

Reprimand of Robert Lundsten

The DeKalb Board of Ethics conducted an investigation in the matter of Thomas Owens against Robert Lundsten filed with the Board of Ethics on February 10, 2016.  Upon consideration of the evidence, the Board of Ethics and Mr. Lundsten have agreed to settle this matter without a public hearing.  As part of the settlement, Mr. Lundsten admits the following facts:

Personal use of the P-card on three separate occasions which were for personal and not county business and which charges amounted to $310.95 and have been refunded to the County.

In light of the admission by Mr. Lundsten to the following violations,  improper use of a County issued Purchasing Card in violation of §22A(c)(7) of the Ethics Code (Engaging in an activity prohibited by law), the Board of Ethics is issuing this public reprimand pursuant to 22A (k)(B) of the Ethics Code.

It is vital to the proper functioning of DeKalb County government that citizens have confidence in the integrity of their officials and employees and to attain this trust it is essential that the employees and officers not use their position for private gain.

As a DeKalb County employee, Mr. Lundsten did not uphold the ethical standards as required by the DeKalb Code and breached the trust of DeKalb citizens who rely on their government officials and employees.  It is therefore necessary to reprimand Mr. Lundsten for his actions and violations of the DeKalb Ethics Code.

Reprimand of Judy Brownlee

On May 25, 2016, the DeKalb Board of Ethics conducted a final hearing on the matter of Viola Davis and Joel Edwards against Judy Brownlee.  Upon conclusion of the evidence, the Board voted unanimously to find the following violations of the Ethics Code by Ms. Brownlee:

    1. Failure to properly preserve government records in violation of the Georgia Records Act O.C.G.A. § 50-18-90 et seq. and §22A(c)(7) of the Ethics Code (Engaging in an activity 
    2. prohibited by law). Specifically, failure to maintain purchase card receipts.
    3. Theft by taking, theft by deception, false certification by employee, making a 
    4. false statement in violation of O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2, 16-8-3, 16-10-9 and 16-10-20 and 
    5. §22A(c)(7) of the Ethics Code (Engaging in an activity prohibited by law).   
    6. Specifically, purchase of gift cards with County funds for personal use.
    7. Use of public resources on behalf of political campaigns in violation of O.C.G.A.
    8.  § 21-5-30.2 and §22A(c)(7) of the Ethics Code (Engaging in an activity prohibited 
    9. by law). Specifically, use of County time to attend a political event.

In light of the evidence presented and the violations found, the Board of Ethics is issuing this public reprimand pursuant to 22A (k)(B) of the Ethics Code.

It is vital to the proper functioning of DeKalb County government that citizens have confidence in the integrity of their officials and employees and to attain this trust it is essential that the employees and officers not use their position for private gain.

As a DeKalb County employee, Ms. Brownlee did not uphold the ethical standards as required by the DeKalb Code and breached the trust of DeKalb citizens who rely on their government officials and employees to not use their positions for self-dealing.  It is therefore necessary to reprimand Ms. Brownlee for her actions and violations of the DeKalb Ethics Code.

 

 

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