NEWS BRIEF: City Hall corruption trial yields guilty verdict
Mitzi Bickers to file an appeal
Former Atlanta city operative Mitzi Bickers was found guilty Wednesday on nine of twelve counts that included money laundering, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bribery. The trial resulted from charges brought about by a lengthy federal investigation into corruption at City Hall during the administration of then mayor Kasim Reed.
Bickers was accused of funneling business to city contractors Elvin Mitchell and Charles Richards to the tune of $17 million in exchange for $2 million in bribes. She reportedly used the money to buy a lakefront house, a luxury car, jet skis and first-class trips. Mitchell and Richards took plea deals and testified against Bickers.
Lawyers for Bickers said an appeal will be filed. In the meantime, she remains free on bond until sentencing in July. apnews.com