ATLANTA — Another contractor was indicted today in the city of Atlanta bribery scandal and charges say he also tried to bribe an official in the DeKalb County government.
Lohrasb “Jeff” Jafari was indicted on 51 counts including bribery, witness intimidation, money laundering and tax evasion. Jafari, 68, was the executive vice president of the PRAD group -- a design and construction management firm.
Jafari is accused of bribing Adam Smith, former chief procurement officer with the city of Atlanta, in exchange for city construction contracts. Jafari allegedly met with Smith at Atlanta restaurants at least eight times and allegedly handed over bags of cash in restaurant bathrooms in exchange for influencing city contracts. Smith is currently serving prison time for accepting bribes.
Other bombshells from the indictments are alleged threats Jafari made to Smith after Jafari figured out that federals investigators were digging in to the secret payments. These were recorded by Smith during his alleged meetings with Jafari.
JAFARI TO SMITH:
“You’ve gotta deny the money.”
“Adam we’re in trouble if you’ don’t – if you cave in, I’m F*&^%$#.”
“(n)ever $1,000. Listen to me. Don’t ever say $1,000 because that is one year jail.”
“We can both walk away from it.”
The tax evasion and laundering charges allege Jafari hid at least $150,000 in revenue from the IRS and used corporate funds to buy his home in Alpharetta and four luxury vehicles including two Bentleys. They also say he paid for "landscaping at his home, payments for a person residence, and veterinary bills for family pets."
Three city workers have been sentenced in connection to the bribery scandal: Katrina Taylor Parks, Adam Smith, and Shandarrick Barnes. Two other contractors, E.R. Mitchell and Charles Richards, have been sentenced. One former city worker, Mitzi Bickers, is awaiting trial for her role in the bribery scandal.
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