DeKalb County Board of Ethics Meeting – April 16, 2026

The DeKalb County Board of Ethics met on April 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM to handle routine approvals, hear the Ethics Officer’s monthly report, conduct probable cause hearings in two companion cases, and enter executive session. The meeting was chaired by Bob Dallas, with a quorum present.

Consent Calendar

• The proposed agenda was adopted unanimously.
• Minutes from the February 19, 2026, meeting were approved.
• Minutes from the March 19, 2026, meeting (which lacked a quorum and adjourned at 6:31 PM) were also approved.

Ethics Officer’s Monthly Report

• Training: 381 new employees have been trained in-person since March 19, 2026. Training for managers and supervisors began in March; upcoming sessions include Human Services and Planning & Sustainability. The Board of Commissioners staff, including the chief of staff, requested training.
• Ethics Blasts: March was Ethics Awareness Month; blasts covered working for a county vendor, prohibited sources, and implicit biases.
• Ethics Forum: Scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Featured speakers: CEO Lorraine Cochrane Johnson and Senator Elena Parent.
• Hotline Reports: Six reports received; two were within jurisdiction (court-related, probate court), four were referred (school issues, city of Atlanta matter, eviction issue).
• Disclosure Forms: Due April 17, 2026; three members were reminded.
• Subpoena Power: The Ethics Officer requested approval to issue subpoenas electronically for the probable cause hearings; the Chair approved.
• Pending Cases: Two cases were on the docket for probable cause hearings.

Probable Cause Hearings

Both companion cases were heard together: Diane C. Moore vs. Johnny Mitchell (Case 2025-8) and Diane C. Moore vs. Kimberly K. Washington (Case 2025-16). Neither respondent nor their representative appeared.

• Summary of Allegations: Both respondents were former employees of the Parks and Recreation Department. Complainant alleged that Johnny Mitchell failed to report to work on 16 separate dates (May 4–August 24, 2025) but received compensation and benefits. Kimberly Washington, the co-respondent, facilitated this by clocking him in and out on those days—resulting in 32 separate clock-in/clock-out entries. Both resigned in lieu of termination after an internal investigation found misconduct.
• Ethics Officer’s Presentation: The Ethics Officer detailed that clocking in/out for time not worked constitutes theft by deception under Georgia law and violates DeKalb County Code 22A-7 (Prescribed Conduct). Johnny Mitchell admitted to one incident but claimed it was inadvertent; the Ethics Officer noted 15 additional days remained unexplained. Human Resources documentation (from Deputy Director Kevin Buford) confirmed both employees voluntarily resigned and were deemed ineligible for rehire.
• Board Votes: The evidence was admitted for both cases (unanimous). The Board then voted separately to find probable cause for both cases, unanimously deciding to proceed to evidentiary hearings.

Public Comments

No members of the public offered comments.

Board Comments & Executive Session

• Board members expressed disappointment that the matter had not already been prosecuted and that respondents did not appear. One member suggested the case should have been referred directly to the solicitor.
• The Board unanimously voted to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation and personnel matters.
• After the session, the Board approved the executive session affidavit and adjourned.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes from February and March 2026 meetings approved.
• Probable cause found in both Diane C. Moore vs. Johnny Mitchell (Case 2025-8) and Diane C. Moore vs. Kimberly K. Washington (Case 2025-16); both cases will proceed to evidentiary hearings.
• The next regular Board of Ethics meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2026.