I-Team: Mayor Kasim Reed's Car Upgrades Cost Taxpayers Thousands
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2018
- by Dale Russell
Aired June 28, 2018
ATLANTA - You may remember our FOX 5 I-Team report about the high cost of Mayor Kasim Reed’s two executive protection cars. They cost some $93,000 each.
When we asked what the upgrades were, the city refused to show us, saying they were exempt from disclosure under the Georgia Open Records Act, due to security reasons.
Now, the FOX 5 I-Team has obtained the unredacted upgrades and found everything from the special paint job to a Blu-ray video player.
You may remember, we asked the city for the executive protection car invoices last year and it took them three months - with help from the State Attorney General's office - to give us the records. Open Records Act expects city documents to be turned over to requesting citizens or media in three days.
When we finally got the invoice, the city redacted the upgrades.
Mayor Reed's spokesperson Jenna Garland and then city attorney Jeremy Berry both told me the upgrades were redacted because they were security features, and exempt from disclosure by law.
We asked good government group, Common Cause director Sara Henderson what she thought of redacting the upgrades.
“It should be all open because every dime of that is taxpayer money, says Henderson.
Since then GBI agents have scoured the hallways of city hall picking up records, and talking to employees, as the GBI investigates whether Mayor Reed or his staff violated the Georgia Open Records Act.
The GBI investigation began after these texts were broadcast by another TV station
In them, then spokesperson, Jenna Garland told a fellow city communications director who was responding to an Open Records request - "to be as unhelpful as possible" and to "drag this out as long as possible."
So, with the GBI investigating open records violations, and Mayor Reed long gone, we filed another request with Atlanta Police for all the upgrades. This time we got an unredacted copy. So, we could now see all those so-called security features the city hide from us - and you.
The first thing we noticed. The city bought a brand new $73,341 Yukon Denali, but apparently, the Mayor didn't like the color so taxpayers paid $7,200 to paint the two brand new cars CUSTOM Dark Blue Paint Scheme.
Russell: Does that seem like an item that should be adapted for security reasons?
Henderson: No absolutely not. None of that information should be redacted, regardless of what it says. That's public information, that's taxpayer money.
Then, the city added custom 22-inch premium wheels, splash guards, premium floor mats, and chrome door handles.
”Definitely not a security issue, don't know why you would need chrome door handles,” said Henderson.
Then, there was this: the city installed a custom Rear Entertainment System with Blu-ray video. Those two systems cost an additional $3,200 for the taxpayers. Maybe Mayor Reed was watching security videos.
”A Blu-ray player? The fact that it was redacted when you first asked for the information goes to show, there was something to hide in those number. Taxpayers should be upset. they should be furious with that,” said Henderson.
Why are these people treating a local mayor like a president
Why does any president get that level of treatment?
William Write it’s not like he’s the most powerful man in the world
A B He’s not, he’s a figure head of the most powerful country on earth.
It's Lalana, they bring it on themselves when you Vote Democrat.
Dino Distefano Who’s we??
Politicians believe they can do whatever the hell they want at our expense. Thank you for exposing these scams.
Seems like they can
Here is the thing, when everybody else does it, everybody wants to hang them up to dry.
When Trump does it, its perfectly fine.
@@NextNate03 What did Trump do regarding a vehicle ? I must has missed that story because I sure it would have been on CNN several times a day. I would think that whoever is President of the US he would get whatever secure vehicles that already exist, unless it was time for an upgrade.
You see why rich people don't pay taxes??
Looks like a drug dealer's car.
I’m surprised they didn’t put spinners on the damn tires.
Or low profile gangsta tires?
Ikr? And some bitchin' paint? Might as well...
@@jrosa7319 hydraulic shocks! Lol!
Exactly, why would they put that on there?
J Rosa and exactly why would they put that on there
He really wanted 24" security rims to match the bling bling door handles but it would have been impossible to hide😂
Lmao
26" 8 15" Subs
A) Why does the mayor need two taxpayer funded vehicles.
B) Why do taxpayers need to pay for any vehicle for the mayor.
Because that's how the system works n because he's the mayor of one of the biggest cities in the country not some hick backwoods cousin fucking town like where your from. Foh..
Preach it brotha
Bullet proof glass and armor plating. Computerized machine guns. Laser guided missiles, radar. Able to dive and travel underwater.
@@WIGGYDON1 NO city should ever pay for any public officials vehicle unless that vehicle is used in an official capacity. The mayor can not take them home or use them for personal use even after he has left office. Those are not his vehicles. the 180,000$ used to purchase and upgrade these vehicles should be returned to the city and those involved should be charged with embezzlement of city funds.
David Crandall - You forgot it can even sharpen knives!
This mayor has two Yukon Denalis? Our mayor has a 10 year old Jeep of some sort and his wife has a 15 year old Mercedes which they got before he became mayor.
Umm all big city mayors have Executive Protection Units Philly has a team of 15 Agents assigned to the mayor and 4 SUVs
Rail road cite your sources, that not necessarily true at all.
MrKEMills I like most Mercedes vehicles from 15 years ago, they’re nice. I’m not sure what my mayor drives but my suburb has only about 65,000 people so it’s probably nothing special
@Fuzzy Butkus suckassville
Our previous mayor in Toronto (David Miller) used to ride public transit. I caught the train a couple of times with him. No one bothered him, he stood in a rush hour line as everyone else. It was weird but cool; until he shut down our ranges, then I didn’t like so much anymore.
The shameful thing is, we have come to expect this from our politicians.
Politicians weren't better
I'm starting to see a pattern here with local government. To bad citizens can't do anything about it.
Send him to jail.
Not because he did it. But because he attempted to hide it.
Or send him the bill.
Justice x real talk
He needs a judgement served upon his personal property.
Both...
@@aprilmoore2917 and
He got sent to work at a law firm. Easy living for the corrupt.
it's not even bullet proof
Well, shoot!!!
Laurahhh though clearly inviting violence, that answer was hilarious 😂
*pow pow* 💥💥
Hint hint? Lol.
Just an accessory.
Now I know exactly why he's the former...mayor of Atlanta!
$3200 for a blu-ray player i could hook that up for $350
Peanut Man I doubt he ever turned it on once.
Doubtful you would have even been given the chance, Peanut Man!! Gigs like that are usually performed by a relative of the politician or someone he made a promise to while campaigning for the position!!!
Funny
💯
The two people who said the features were safety features should be fired immediately
Illegal illegal illegal he needs to be billed for all the extras ever single extra upgrade .
The city council would have had to vote on the expenditure, go after them too.
He took an entourage to Africa and gave everyone in the inner circle a raise before he left office ,nice guy !
Customize them. Then buy them at a huge discount later. A common game. They should not be sold to any government employee or relative.
pimp my ride: Atlanta edition ^^
The taxpayer edition
What day awl du whit da wellfare check....
I'm just shocked that anyone in such an honest profession would do such a thing.
/righhhhhhhht
There is nothing honest with most politicians. Just wait till it all comes out and we see where our tax money really goes. Ukraine right now is getting billions from us the tax payers
@@topazlarsen2090 I'm sorry my comment didn't do a very good job of letting the reader know it was pure sarcasm.
@@WillaHerrera 😆
no mayor deserves that kind of vehicle paid by the tax payers!!! He can buy his own!!
He wants to feel like a gangster
I think Trump does to .
He’s been watching too many rap videos from the early 2000’s...24’s are coming next...maybe a TV in the steering wheel for extra security.
Trump,Donald And?
Hes a politician , that makes him a thieve. Dosnt get any more gangster then that.
James Moon just like trump dummy....
Not bulletproof, custom paint, chrome handles and an entertainment system with Blue ray? 10K for SHITTY paint, CHROME DORR HANDLES and a system... figured hydraulics and some spinners were next!
What gets me is you can get a Denali in dark blue with chrome handles and entertainment system from the factory.
@@jbird1173 why buya car just to paint it? Oh wait... not like he paid for it
Wow...just sad...why do you say spinners?
all that money they do not think invest in surplus military transportation then customize it.
JBird117 Yes 4 way way less money… Four $90,000 he could’ve had an ESV Escalade premium luxury model four-wheel-drive. If he’s going to go full on...Why not to get the damn caddy
So, the mayor blows $140+K on 2 vehicles, and updates them to pimpmobiles on the taxpayers dime. The vehicles should be sold, and the diffrence between that and what they were purchased for, should be billed to the ex-mayor, up to and including seizure and forfeiture of all of his assets, as needed to recover that money.
Ex-mayor and current-federal inmate Kwame Kilpatrick, from Detroit, advised Mayor Reed on how to pimp his rides.
This is why the citizens have nothing no healthcare nothing.
Also, no education. You're a prime example.
there is always MR V
Why it's time to execute these corrupt scumbags. In public for the world to see.
Want healthcare? Buy it.
@@badtexasbill5261
Third world usa
This makes me sick. This is how every government official recklessly spends OUR money
Since when does a lowly city mayor get a security detail? Our town's mayor doesn't even have a security detail and he drives his own vehicle...damn
Once again FOX you’ve raised the bar on real news
Surprised it wasn't an Escalade...
Denali is better in so many ways
@@sadbart7046 no tf its not. Tell me how its better
That’s racist
Steve Stiffler how? He means why wouldn’t he go all out with a loaded Escalade
New paint scheme and chrome door handles plus rear DVD players. I thought they spent the money buying run-flat tires and making windows bulletproof but nope, useless pimping on the taxpayers dime. This ex-mayor was so flashy trying to fit in with the rappers and celebrities he hangout with. Good riddance!
Do a Google search on Kesha Lance bottoms wasting taxpayer money and she is worse than this guy.
Lol who even uses dvd players anymore though. He should have got an FHD blue ray player with 4k monitors. Or just use thumb drives. You can fit like 5000 movies on one little drive.
JUAN ROMAN I think his term ended.
@R. Ive that what i say. Liberal run city are currupt. See L.A. see Baltimore, Chicago, NYC. All liberal/ Democratic city.
@@KeithsReviews 3:29 If you watch the clip and pay attention, you'll see it was Blu-ray...
Even if it were for actual security upgrades, he's just a mayor of a city. Police vehicles don't even have "security upgrades". They have heavy duty components for heavy use and long life but that's about it. The fact they tried to hide it by redacting the information is a clear illustration they KNEW it was wrong. The former mayor needs to be held accountable for unneccesary taxpayer expenditures.
I was waiting for them to say he had subwoofers put in the back. 🤣
6k views for a mayor stealing from tax payers but a stupid rap video gets a million views in a day....
Flash Gordon yes sir
Well, entertainment is more appealing in the short run... We're very easily distracted these days.
Flash Gordon Merica!
Flash Gordon my guy crazy!!! I’m telling the priorities now a days
Flash Gordon it has 25k now
I’m just trying to figure out why a MAYOR needs TWO protection vehicles. Sounds like waste at its finest.
Ummm in Philadelphia and NYC mayors has 4-6 SuVs
There were not even bulletproof.
The amount of corruption is so crazy!
If Pimp My Ride was still on TV, he could've been featured.
All work was done at West Coast Customs. Electronics by Mad Mike!
Ryan Ramirez man i miss pimp my ride
He’s a mayor, not a federal cabinet member lmao why does he need 2 suvs
This is what happens to the people everyday and they just take advantage of the people that don't realize it
'Safety' 'security' yes, the mayor was afraid that the 'safety' of his bloated expense were 'secure' from public scrutinisation. One word...corruption.
Rolling deep in that Denali. He prob added a sound system too.
Why do you say that 🤔
where is there an assassin when you need one
Yeah then it can be Trump
Gabriella faks were is the back bone to shut this down in are country United we stand divided we fall time to take down satin kingdom so you going just set there or lose your family and friends from the government worker's or are we going to let these people get away with this people get up and fight for your rights even if it take s are blood are forefathers die for your country rights it's war time people wake up stand up for what wrong and right or lose your family and friends
Where is the pitch forks and torches
Make it a felony with minimum six months in prison for any city employee caught trying to hinder an investigation or cover up crimes
Stealing from all the taxpayer's. The saddest part is all that money wasted that could have helped the many people in need in that city!
Good thing the Mayor was elected based on his stellar career and qualifications. The ATL voters are no dummies, they don’t vote by party affiliation or skin color, they only vote after careful consideration.
😉
😆
Watching Lil Wayne videos in the back seat. Lol
"Pimp My Ride" a whole new meaning.
How to get away with theft; Become a politician.
Specifically----> Become a democrat politician, they use the general public like we are ATM machines.
question is what they gonna do about it???
Ogie Gandara what are we going to do about this
true!
Tom Smith let's hear to his front door!!
*go
Dark blue Kevlar paint with ultrasonic transponders and a fukkin Flux capicitor!💯
Im surprised he didnt ask for chrome 22inch rims with pencil thin tires
Similar stuff like that happens everywhere.
No matter if it's a Village, City, County, State, Federal Governments.
Same thing with Courthouses.
They do it because there are no consequences for their actions. Take the money out of their pensions when outright misuse of funds has been found plus penalties. Hell strip them of their pensions for waste and trying to hide what they knew was wrong. The employees involved in hiding the information should be held accountable as well. We need to start sending a message that ripping off taxpayers and then increases taxes will cost you personally. Fines, no pension, jail. short rope tall tree
C'mon Fox5. You can't be the chocolate mayor of a chocolate city without a premium ride. Give him $250k per vehicle. If he needs more than that he can raise it the old fashioned way, with higher taxes or corruption.
I live in the ATL metro area, this kind of thing is exactly why the City itself has lagged behind of the rest of the booming metro area. No way I'd pay taxes for this BS.
I'm shocked a politician who takes taxes and blows it on himself.
Keep them honest FOX5!
I thought tenant windows that dark was illegal but I guess if you're the mayor you can do what you want
At least we have some good comedy to tune into every week lol.
PIMP MY RIDE!
Tax payers edition
This who they elected in office 😂 😂 😂
You sure know how to pick them
Wtf everybody gonna do about it ?? Keep paying high taxes letting them scum bags ride in luxury while I struggle to pay for my hoopte and rent.
No way...u mean to tell me that ppl with power abuse it??? Get out of here 😭😂🤣🤣😭😂
Now that this vehicle has a custom paint job, chrome door handles etc. it seems to me that it would make the Mayor's vehicle more easily identified REDUCING his security.
Great job team keep up the good work !!!!
He is living like a king
john shu not if someone kills him or cut off the sank s head people
More like a kang
He wuz kangz an shiettt
We know what the President of the United States' limo has for security but not for a city Mayor? Who does this guy think he is?
Actually, they do keep some of the things that have been done to the presidents' vehicle private for security reasons. Which, in this case, actually makes sense... considering that he's the leader of our country and not just a mayor of a city like this wannabe gangster is. LMAO where did he get these upgrades installed at and why did they pay so mich for them? Seriously though, I've worked in custom vehicle A/V installation and the prices they paid for these are outrageous!
We have a similar pattern in South Avfrica when junior and senior politicians feel it is their right to drive around I the most expensive vehicles - they also have the habit of driving these vehicles with office blue lights and forcing citizens off the roads
I’m a security contractor install cameras and equipment for police departments up and down the East Coast if I got a request for something as outrageous as stereo equipment was something that wasn’t a security issue I would immediately drop a note to the mayor the people who took this money knowing it was taxpayers money they should also be revealed
Redact: [security reasons]
Un-redacted: “Rear seat shiatsu massaging package-for the hoz.”
Wow that is crazy I am glad somebody spoke up
From Wikipedia:
In February 2017, Reed fired the city's chief procurement officer after two city contractors pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges.[58] At a February 9 news conference, Reed insisted, "I have never taken a bribe," and gave reporters physical access to 406 boxes of documents that had been demanded by federal investigators.[58]
On August 15, 2018, Katrina Taylor-Parks, pleaded guilty to conspiring to accept bribe payments while serving as the City of Atlanta's Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor Kasim Reed for approximately eight years. She will be sentenced up to five years in prison.[59] Atlanta's top purchasing officer, Adam Smith, received a reduced sentence of 27 months in prison.[60] In a separate hearing, Mitzi Bickers, the former Human Services Director and campaign advisor of Mayor Reed is accused of taking over 2 million dollars in bribes
Glad to see a mayor's office can get in on the corruption usually reserved for the police.
$3200 Blu Ray Player set up rofl, shop hit the lottery
A shame he didn't have someone holding an umbrella for him when he walked around.
Must be nice to roll in nice trucks with rims when you don't even pay for them
Gotta love those, for the little guy, Democrats.
Every time I hear of public officials stealing or upgrading, they have a D behind their name
A democrat stealing!? Omg! You don’t say.
theburners32141 I bet the dealership loved it. Absolutely no haggling, just pay the full price since someone else is paying for it.
republicans do the exact same thing. As long as their voters like you on both sides this kind of unethical behavior will continue.
Repubs do the same thing bub so don’t start with the Democrats and Republican stuff because it’s not the time
I wouldn’t complain that a Democrat is stealing, when the president keeps flying on the Air Force one left and right to play golf and fly his family everywhere, Keep in mind each time it’s used it cost more than buying and customizing that gmc
Fernando Orihuela exactly knowing the expenses of flying per hour on afo is 200,000 an hour
Huge depreciation on that monstrosity. And who pays for all that gas?
That's a shame. The press NEEDS to sue the Georgia government and get a FISA.
Kasim Reed was and still is a joke!
Damn leeche!!!!!!
This is an example of why people have a negative impression of politicians. You’re supposed to serve the public not yourself.
This is why its so important to vote during EVERY election!!!!!
We all did vote in 2020 and it was major fraud. Do people really think voting is honest just because the D party says so.
Damn it's crazy seeing a mayor have security lol our mayor doesn't have a escort service or special vehicles
Most likely you live in a small city in Philly the mayor has 15 agents DC 10 Nyc 40 agents
Rail road again, cite your sources.
For all you people no matter the color!!!! This is what Democrats care about as opposed to you, the people! Every major city with terrible crime is democratic! Trump 2020!!!
Keep up the good work
WTF does a local mayor (a no-body) have security and need cars like this in the first place. Sounds to me like when people like that are voted in by their peers - they think they can just do whatever they want with public money. Hold them accountable - and take them and their co-workers involved in covering this up to court and make them explain themselves to the public that are paying for all this crap.
Someone so important as a mayor should be driven in a much fancier car, maybe a Bentley or Rolls.
God...I hope that is sarcasm.
@@xlr8r2010 me too
Don't give them any ideas.
Nowhere did I hear he’s a democrat, but ☝️I bet my daughters first born he is!!
@Sami Amor Except Reed IS a registered Dumbocrat.
Easy fix, don't spend the extra 30k for the denali trim on the extra cars
"Protection for me and not for thee"
The mayor of Los Angeles rides in a LAPD provided Grand Marquis (12 years old!) Basically a pimped out Crown Vic... That's a really big city compared to ATL.
Ummmm false he has 4 SUVs
Man what a waste
They forgot to buy some Sponge Bob cartoons to entertain this giant mayor.
Chrome spinner wheels, nightglow and lase tint are next.
Minus the paint job, all those “customizations” are factory options. In fact, the only one they mentioned that’s not automatically included with that year Denali trim level is the rear entertainment system but is something you will find in just about every Denali you see sitting on a dealer lot. This story seems like a journalist was reaching for a story big time. With that said, I think any police spec Explorer or Tahoe is beyond safe enough for a Mayor.
Options paid for by the taxpayer. And it isn't necessarily the upgrades, but the attempt to obscure and conceal the expenditures.
Wasting taxpayers dollars IS a damn "big story"!
Since when does fox care what government officials do with tax payers money😭😭😭
Lol you don't care because he's a democrat.
Mr. H trying to cover for your democrat scumbag mayor?
I remember back in the day mid 80s the mayor of Columbus Georgia drove one of the plain fleet vehicles just like any other employee did .
IN MY VIEW
Senior Reporter Dale Russell deserves a raise for EXCELLENCE in Reporting on the Mayor’s twin car upgrades that he was hiding from taxpayers. I fail to see why he need two cars. He can only drive one car at a time! (Unless taxpayers are pay for a chauffeur for him) He needs to refund taxpayers for his “Personal” upgrades to the TWO cars he drives.