Georgia’s film industry is booming. With over 30 productions shooting at one time in the Peach State, Georgia is on track to become the film industry capital of the world.
However, behind the scenes of the lights and cameras, the Federal Bureau of Investigations is investigating Atlanta City Hall.
On Tuesday, the city of Atlanta fired Chief Procurement Officer Adam Smith on Tuesday after the FBI seized items from his City Hall office. A spokesperson for Mayor Kasim Reed issued a statement but, did not explain why the FBI raided City Hall.
“The City of Atlanta announced today that Adam Smith, Chief Procurement Officer, has been relieved of his duties effective immediately,” the Mayor’s spokesperson explained in a statement. “Chief Counsel Angela Hinton will serve as Interim Chief Procurement Officer until a permanent replacement is named.”
According to the AJC, the federal government has been investigating several contractors who paid more than $1 million in bribes in exchange for city contracts. However, it is not clear if the raid was related to that incident.
Tuesday’s action by federal agents is the first known search of a city of Atlanta office in connection with the probe. The city previously complied with subpoenas seeking contracts from the procurement office, along with other records involving a pair of construction contractors who have since pleaded guilty in connection with the investigation and a former city employee who has not been implicated.
Smith led a department in Atlanta that managed hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for the city ranging from Atlanta’s International Airport to routine sidewalk repair, according to reports.
This news comes after Mayor Kasim Reed suggested an increase in taxes to support Atlanta’s art community.
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