Legal Question in Employment Law in Georgia

I was the sole police officer in a small town. I was contacted by several citizens and made aware of things that the mayor was alleged to be doing. Buying property raising the price and selling it to objects the city, receiving bribes for lease rights to city land, and the list goes on. Sometime during me investigating these claims the mayor called me in and told me to find another job telling me the city council was tired of me. When i went to the council members they weren't even aware of the issue. I recorded my conversations with the mayor and council. The mayor finally stated that this action taken by him was because "I was out to get him" and "investigating him". I told him if he wasn't doing what everyone said there was no cause for alarm. When the council didn't back is decision he waited a week and cut my pay by 20 hours a week. I was determined and stuck it very out after a month or two the council gave my hours back. A period of time went by with no new evidence. Around January I received additional evidence and places to look. When I began looking again I was told bybt by the Mayor again this time with the councils support that the city couldn't afford a police officer. When I turned in my things the mayor turned them over to the new policeman he had already hired. I filled open recoeds requests for the city records that show the wrong doings, budget, etc. The local district attorney is fully aware of my efforts and is the reason I filled the requests for the open records. I was informed by him that he wanted all documents that I had seen and proof in his hands. I am being stonewalled by the city now. It took them two weeks two reply to my requests. Their attorney replied that my requests were too vague ( which they weren't) I feel it's just a stall tactic trying to blow me off. There is so much more to this story and I've told it and written it so many times I've grown tired. I need some advice here as I've done a few phone interviews with paralegals and no return calls from attorneys. Is this a lost cause or is it like I see it. I know this is an at will state and what that means. I feel I have a wrongful termination or whistleblower, tort, and criminal case here.


Asked on 2/24/15, 10:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael Caldwell DeLong, Caldwell, Bridgers & Fitzpatrick LLC

The question that I have is whether you know whether the city recieves funds from the state. If not, it isn't covered by the Whistleblower law. If so, then you may have a case. Did you report your suspicions of the Mayor's illegal activities to anyone? This also is a critical fact in the Whistleblower law analysis. Have you discussed your case with the GACP? I am their General Counsel.

Michael Caldwell

404-979-3154

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Answered on 2/25/15, 8:50 am


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