There's a new development in the ongoing battle between the Atlanta mayor's office and the city's Inspector General's Office. Critics contend the city attorney raided the IG office with a police escort and removed equipment. Critics say the city attorney came with a police escort and raided the office, while the mayor's office put out a press release saying there was no raid. Perkins-Hooker requested guns, but Williams told the City Attorney that no one in the office had weapons.
She describes it as a raid or, rather, "an invasion of the OIG with a bit of espionage attached to it. Moore said she had seen surveillance video from the visit and was told that Perkins-Hooker had a police officer with her. Perkins-Hooker's email, undated, states that she wants all the spy pens collected and that she planned to destroy any evidence gathered on the "prohibited" recording devices.
We do not know exactly how much equipment was taken. The city attorney collected the spy pens, but it is unclear what else. District 3 At-Large Councilman Michael Julian Bond says the city attorney was within her rights and is protecting the interests of the city. They were accompanied by a police officer.
The employees were concerned, wondering, "Why is an officer here, and why are you here? Manigault's office. Further, it was found that OIG employees had files in unsecured boxes, breaking the chain of custody.
Those files were subsequently secured and locked in the former IG's safe in her office to ensure their integrity. The entry to Ms. Manigault's office was also locked. The city says city attorney Hooker's approach was part of the standard operating procedure for departing employees.
