FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Fallout is continuing this week in the wake of misconduct allegations and federal findings of severe failures at the Fulton County Housing Authority.
On Monday, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners is holding a special meeting regarding the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) findings and recommendations.
Four Housing Authority board members have already resigned, one under an allegation of sexual harassment, and the remaining members are under fire from Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chair Robb Pitts after reports of misuse of funds and mismanagement.
Chairman Pitts said a shake-up is coming.
"HUD has asked that we reset, change the board, bring in new leadership at the board level and even at the management level. And that is exactly what we intend to do," Pitts said.
All seven members of the Housing Authority's board were given the option to resign weeks ago. Pitts said two didn't take heed.
"We began to hear all of those concerns at our Board of Commissioners meetings," Pitts said. "We felt that we had to take some action."
Housing Authority Chair Antavius Weems told 11Alive that staff were fixing the issues.
"Nothing could be further from the truth," Pitts said.
Pitts said the board is cleaning house starting Monday. He said commissioners will appoint five new members to the Housing Authority's board.
In response, a spokesperson for the Housing Authority shared the results of a three-person review that was initiated after HUD notified the Housing Authority of severe underperformance of Section 8 housing voucher management. The review details additional prior financial mismanagement, organizational deficiencies and other issues that, the report says, steps have been taken to remedy. Among those steps are the hiring of an interim executive director and other positions to clean things up.
"Documentation clearly indicates that all impropriety and mismanagement occurred on the watch of the past Executive Director, Interim Executive Director, and Acting Executive Director," the review states.
Weems, in a further statement below, said the previous executive director was removed in mid-May. He argues Pitts' actions are only complicating efforts to implement a 75-day turnaround plan outlined in the three-person review.
Weems provided this statement on Sunday:
Housing Authority of Fulton County Chairman Antavius Weems today implores Commission Chair Robb Pitts to stop obstructing the Authority’s efforts to comply with the Housing and Urban Development Agency’s recommendations and to immediately cease all misleading statements regarding sexual harassment allegations. The Authority, led by attorney Weems, recently successfully completed a 75 day turnaround plan. The final pieces, hiring key staff, is being blocked, which could disrupt the housing for nearly 2,000 Fulton County residents. Further, Board Chair Pitts continues to hinder the work of the Authority by falsely citing sexual harassment claims.
“In June of last year, I submitted a letter to BOC Chairman Robb Pitts regarding multiple claims of sexual harassment against Commissioner Ronnie Shakir, an appointee of Pitts ally Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman. Chairman Pitts refused to take action to protect our employees and said that we, the Authority, are responsible for addressing such. As a result of my desire to protect our employees, in January, we held hearings and subsequently removed former Commissioner Shakir. Recently, rather than acknowledging that the claims of harassment were against Commissioner Shakir and have been resolved, Chairman Pitts continues to allege that there are similar allegations against the remaining commissioners, Commissioner White and myself. That is not true and he knows it,” said Authority Chairman Weems. “Further, as part of a continued pattern of attempting to undermine the work of the Authority, Chairman Pitts is now blocking the full implementation of our 75 day plan to comply with HUD’s recommendation. This must stop.”
After removing former Commissioner Shakir due to the sexual harassment charges, the Authority engaged in a review of organizational practices. Chair Weems contacted HUD and asked for a review and recommendations. HUD agreed. The Authority discovered misconduct by the then Executive Director and removed her. In mid May, the Authority launched its 75 day turnaround plan, that began with hiring an external team and Interim Executive Director. During this period, Board Chair Pitts called for the resignation of board members and is now holding a Special Hearing. As of this past Friday, the Authority completed executing on the major hiring recommendations and submitted information to HUD. Authority Chairman Weems was informed that HUD will not accept the new hires until the results of Monday’s meeting are known.
“Board Chair Pitts is engaging in campaign of slander using false claims of sexual harassment while obstructing our work and potentially creating housing instability for thousands of low income residents. Whether this is because we removed an appointee of his ally or simply because he does not value the least of these, this is unacceptable. Our residents deserve better. Let me be clear: Commissioner White and I do not have any sexual harassment complaints against us and we have worked diligently to execute this 75 day strategy."
Ahead of Monday's meeting, Pitts revealed one of the new board appointees.
"Felicia Moore was a past president of the Atlanta City Council - a no-nonsense person, exactly the type that we need," Pitts said.
Moore is a former Atlanta City Council president, and former Atlanta mayoral candidate, and has a background in real estate.
11Alive's Tresia Bowles spoke with Moore on the phone. She said she's up for the task.
Here's what to expect on Monday: Pitts said the board will announce their appointees, the board will vote, and swear them in. There is no public comment, but Pitts said he will allow testimonies.
Pitts hopes the new board will immediately call a meeting and get to work.
"We'll be able to follow the HUD guidelines. And get that $7.8 million to the people who need that money," Pitts said, referencing federal funds that could be at risk.
And to concerned residents, Pitts said, "Give us about a month. And they'll see results."