🌱 FBI Search For Man Accused Of $1 Billion In Fraud + MLK Celebration

Good morning, Atlanta! I'm Lauren Kubiak and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here's all the community news you need to know right now, including...

• The FBI is searching for Khalid Satary, who cost taxpayers over $1 billion in fraudulent Medicare reimbursements.
• State officials and family members of Martin Luther King Jr.'s family attended Georgia’s 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Service on Friday.
• A celebrity restaurant owner responded to a lawsuit filed by former employees accusing her of taking their tips.

But first, today's weather:

Increasing cloudiness. High: 55 Low: 48.

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Here are the top five stories today in Atlanta:

1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking for the public's help in finding a man violating his pre-trial release, who officials believe might be in the Atlanta area. Former Gwinnett County resident Khalid Ahmed Satary, 46, was accused of costing taxpayers more than $1 billion in fraudulent Medicare reimbursements. Satary was indicted in New Orleans for conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and more. (WSB Atlanta)
2. Georgia state officials and members of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s family attended Georgia’s 39th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Service at the state Capitol on Friday. Georgia Power CEO and president Chris Womack was the keynote speaker at the event and said King's dream has yet to come to fruition. Womack strives to keep King's legacy alive by encouraging businesses to diversify their workforces. (Now Habersham)
3. Celebrity owner of Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan Pinky Cole responded to a lawsuit from former employees, which stated the restaurant paid them $2.13 an hour and required 25 percent of tips to go to the owners and managers of Bar Vegan. Cole denied the allegations on her Instagram page and wrote, "She does not run day-to-day operations at Bar Vegan." TV producers canceled her scheduled appearance on a talk show due to the controversy. (WSB Atlanta)
4. Georgia Bulldogs football player Devin Willock was one of two victims in a fatal car accident yesterday. Chandler LeCroy, 24, a Georgia football recruiting staff member, was also killed in the crash. Two other football players from the team were in the car at the time but were taken to the hospital and will survive their injuries. The Bulldogs had just won the National Championship a week ago. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
5. A candlelight vigil was held on Friday night for Jamal Dean, 9, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident more than a week ago. Dean was getting out of his mother's car at Rosel Fann Recreation Center on Cleveland Avenue in Atlanta when he was hit. Police haven't made an arrest but released surveillance images of the vehicle involved – an orange or red, newer-model Ford F-150. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

Today in Atlanta:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration At Atlanta History Center (10:00 AM)
• Miami Heat Vs. Atlanta Hawks At State Farm Arena (3:30 PM)
• Monday Night Social At Red Social (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Northern Georgia saw snow on Friday! The cold rolled through and left a light coating of snow behind for residents, and the temperature continued to drop significantly in temperature for Georgians statewide. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
• Atlanta police have been searching for a missing 24-year-old woman since Jan. 10. Alexis Young was last seen near Ethel Street wearing dark grey leggings, a pink hoodie, a black cap, and black tennis shoes. Police are asking for the public's help with information on her whereabouts. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
• President Joe Biden traveled to Atlanta and spoke during the Sunday service at America's most famous Black church Ebenezer Baptist Church. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached at the church. (MyFox Chattanooga)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. She is a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.