FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Council Communications
Atlanta City Hall
55 Trinity Ave. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

CONTACT:
Talia Moffitt
Public Information Officer – Council Communications
Office: (404) 546-1835
Mobile: (404) 326-6506
tkmoffitt@atlantaga.gov

February 18, 2019

Council Member Michael Julian Bond Introduces Legislation to Ensure All Elected and Appointed Officials and Management are Aware of the Hobbs Act

 ATLANTA—Council member Michael Julian Bond introduced legislation at Monday’s full council meeting that requests the city’s Department of Human Resources Commissioner to implement a policy and ensure that all elected and appointed officials and managers are aware of the Hobbs Act.

Enacted in 1946, the Hobbs Act criminalizes robbery and extortion. It is one of the core corrupt act statues employed to address state and local corruption.

The Hobbs Act defines extortion as obtaining property from another, with his consent, induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right. It includes as a violation the misuse or potential misuse of a public official’s power for personal profit. A Hobbs Act violation would include the acceptance of cash in exchange for a promise to vote favorably on a matter.

“This legislation adds another arm to our ethics and accountability in city government. It would develop policy that will hold folks accountable and restore trust in the individuals who represent and work in our government,” Bond said.

The legislation asks the Human Resources Commissioner to provide an update to the Finance/Executive Committee on the status of the policy within 60 days of adoption.

The legislation will be heard before the Finance/Executive Committee at its next meeting on Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. in Committee Room No. 1 at Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Avenue SW.

Atlanta City Council

The Atlanta City Council is the chief policy-making body for the City of Atlanta. It acts by considering and enacting all laws that govern the City. The council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City as recommended by the mayor, and it continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The Atlanta City Council reviews and has final say on many land-use and zoning matters. Major economic development projects for the City also fall under the council’s consideration.

The Atlanta City Council is comprised of 12 districts and three at-large posts. Council representatives include: Council President: Felicia A. Moore; District 1: Carla Smith; District 2: Amir Farokhi; District 3: Vacant; District 4: Cleta Winslow; District 5: Natalyn Mosby Archibong; District 6: Jennifer N. Ide; District 7: Howard Shook; District 8: J.P. Matzigkeit; District 9: Dustin Hillis; District 10: Andrea L. Boone; District 11: Marci Collier Overstreet; District 12: Joyce M. Sheperd; Post 1 At-Large: Michael Julian Bond; Post 2 At-Large: Matt Westmoreland; and Post 3 At-Large: Andre Dickens.

Council information, committee agendas and more may be found on the Atlanta City Council website here. Video archives of the council’s regularly scheduled meetings, committee meetings and work sessions may be found here.

###