Atlanta Progressive News

(APN) ATLANTA — On Monday, August 25, 2014, DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer (District 1), a Republican, resigned amidst corruption allegations and a federal investigation of the same.

 

On Tuesday, August 26, the U.S. Attorneys’ Office said that Boyer had been arraigned and she is scheduled to plead guilty on charges of wire fraud and conspiring to commit mail fraud–in connection with the embezzlement of County funds–on September 03, 2014.

 

 

Voters will have a chance to select for a new County Commissioner in a Special Election, to be held during the General Election this year.

 

 

District 1 includes north DeKalb County, including Brookhaven and Dunwoody, and the communities of Tucker and Smoke Rise.

 

 

“I’ve betrayed the trust of the people and I’ve abused my position of power,” she told WSBTV Channel 2 prior to resigning.

 

 

She would not comment on the details of why she was resigning.

 

 

However, the U.S. Attorneys’ Office provided information in a press release.

 

 

“In September 2009, as the Commissioner of District 1, Ms. Boyer retained an individual (“Advisor”) supposedly to assist her with government consulting and advisory duties on issues that affected her constituents,” the press release states.

 

 

“From September 2009 to November 2011, false invoices were submitted to Ms. Boyer’s office for consulting services purportedly rendered by Advisor,” the press release states.

 

 

“In fact, Advisor performed no services for Ms. Boyer, District 1 constituents, or DeKalb County.  Ms. Boyer used the false invoices as a basis to authorize payments to Advisor.  Based on requisition requests from Ms. Boyer, DeKalb County mailed approximately 35 checks to Advisor for consulting services that were never performed.  In total, DeKalb County paid Advisor more than $78,000, believing that legitimate services had been performed for the county,” the press release states.

 

 

“After being paid by DeKalb County, Advisor funneled approximately 75% of the money received from DeKalb County into Ms. Boyer’s personal bank account.   Between September 2009 and November 2011, Advisor deposited more than $58,000 in DeKalb County funds into Ms. Boyer’s personal bank account (while retaining the remainder of the money).  In turn, Ms. Boyer used the money deposited into her account to pay personal expenses, including purchases at hotels and high-end department stores,” the press release states.

 

 

Boyer could wind up in jail, as U.S. Attorney Sally Yates has confirmed she will seek a prison sentence for the disgraced former Commissioner.  In addition, federal prosecutors will be charging Boyer with wire and mail fraud.

 

 

“The resignation of Elaine Boyer, and subsequent federal charges against her, represent another stain on the reputation of what once was a proud County government.  And now, new allegations have surfaced against another DeKalb County Commissioner.  The fleecing of DeKalb taxpayers must stop, and those charged need to be made an example of.  Prison time is a must.  This is exactly why residents are looking at city creation and annexation as a solution for out-of-touch and out-of-control government,” Mark Chance, a resident of District 1, told Atlanta Progressive News.

 

 

“Recent news stories notwithstanding,” May said, “Elaine Boyer has faithfully served the constituents of District 1 and DeKalb County for over 20 years,” Dekalb interim CEO Lee May said in a statement.

 

 

Boyer was first elected in 1992.

 

 

(END/2014)