Politics & Government
Atlanta City Hall Official Fired: 5 Things About Adam Smith
Adam Smith ran the office that has received the most scrutiny from federal officials. Here are 5 things about him.
ATLANTA, GA -- A day after the city's head of procurements was abruptly fired, questions abound at Atlanta City Hall, which is embroiled in a widening bribery investigation. (For more news on the Atlanta bribery scandal and other local stories, click here to get Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts.)
Adam Smith was "relieved of his duties" Tuesday in a shocking revelation that occurred the same day Federal Bureau of Investigation agents raided his office.
While the city has not said that the two incidents are connected, City Hall is facing considerable heat from the Department of Justice as investigators determine who knew what and when in the bribery scandal.
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Read more: Atlanta City Hall official fired amid FBI raid
Here are five things about Adam Smith:
Find out what's happening in Atlantafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Firstly, Smith has not been charged with any crime. Elvin “E.R.” Mitchell Jr. and Charles P. Richards Jr. have pleaded guilty to paying bribe money for influence in city contracts, but the person who they dealt with is as of yet unnamed.
Feds took two items from his office that we know about: It was widely reported that the FBI raided his office, but what they seized -- a city-owned computer and phone -- has been lost in the big headlines.
Smith allegedly signed off on some of the contracts under scrutiny: The procurement office would typically put bids out on projects needed around the city. Vendors would compete in the process, with the lowest adept bidder usually winning.
Smith got the job under ex-Mayor Shirley Franklin: Smith is a 14-year City Hall veteran who was hired by the Shirley Franklin administration. Mayor Kasim Reed kept him on.
He's a Morehouse man: Smith, the city’s head of procurement since 2003, is a Morehouse College alum and member of the Georgia Bar. His job with the city included billions of dollars in construction contracts for infrastructure improvements.
Smith's departure came before the FBI seized city of Atlanta items, according to WXIA-TV.
Image courtesy of Tiffany Johnson
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