Alpharetta Councilman Doug DeRito apologized for using the words "corrupt" and "cancer" while on a radio talk show five days before the election, but he fell short of admitting he was wrong.
City Attorney Sam Thomas reported during Monday's City Council meeting that he found no evidence of corruption by any council member. Councilwoman Debbie Gibson formally asked council to investigate the allegations to clear her name before she leaves council at the end of the year.
'It is my opinion that neither Mrs. Gibson or any other members of council have engaged in any illegal activities.'
Sam Thomas
City Attorney
"I'd like to ask, since Mr. Thomas did his investigation that the council ask Mr. DeRito to put in writing to the local paper an apology to me and to the city," Gibson said.
She handed Mayor Arthur Letchas a draft of such an apology for consideration.
For his part, DeRito offered an apology and an explanation.
"I regret using the word corrupt or cancer. It is not intended to be used toward any member of this council or Ms. Gibson," DeRito said. "I do offer up an apology."
He asked the public and council to listen to the full audio of his segment on the radio show, and to read the full transcript to put his words in context. He brought copies of the transcript and handed them out to Alpharetta residents attending the meeting. DeRito said he did not regret the position he took during the city election.
Thomas said he interviewed DeRito after obtaining a copy of the audio of the Chris Crock radio talk show.
During the radio talk show, DeRito twice mentioned corruption, but it was not directed to anyone or any action. Once he said Gibson's re-election in light of her alleged DUI would "create more cancer and a corrupt government."
The city attorney asked DeRito if he had any knowledge or facts that suggest Gibson or any other council member had engaged in conduct that would indicate corruption. Thomas said DeRito stated he did not.
The city attorney said speculation that federal or local agencies have been investigating anyone on council cannot be confirmed.
"And it is my belief that there are no such investigations," Thomas said.
He spoke to city staff and members of the community, including the development community. He found no evidence of corruption, which matched his own experiences working with Gibson.
"Therefore, it is my opinion that neither Mrs. Gibson or any other members of council have engaged in any illegal activities," he said.
Additional investigation won't be necessary, Thomas said.
Labels: Alpharetta, Councilman, DeRito
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 9:52 AM
