Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 29, 2008
Contact : Sue McKinney
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT SIGNED
PRESS RELEASE
Maxwell Wood, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced today that a settlement agreement was signed between the Department of Justice and the City of Macon in the amount of $315, 002.09 resolving the dispute over funds spent by the City of Macon from a 2002 Safe Schools Initiative Grant. The agreement forestalls any potential litigation between the Department of Justice and the City of Macon concerning the 2002 Grant.
“This agreement is the result of months of negotiations between the City of Macon, the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. We think this is a fair and equitable resolution of this matter. We are happy that litigation has been avoided. We acquired a great deal of respect for Mayor Robert Reichert, City Attorney Pope Langstaff and other city employees during the course of these negotiations. We look forward to a positive working relationship with the City of Macon in the future” Wood stated.
The investigation was conducted by Ms. Cynthia Roberts, the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Fraud Detection Office.
Any questions concerning this matter should be addressed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office, at 478-621-2602.
