A political consultant who worked in Atlanta City Hall manipulated contractors into paying her in exchange for city work, a prosecutor said as the first trial in a long-running federal corruption investigation got underway.
Mitzi Bickers, who helped former Mayor Kasim Reed win an election and then worked as his director of human services, faces charges including bribery. Eight women and seven men — 12 jurors and three alternates — were sworn in Wednesday, and opening statements were delivered Thursday.
Bickers’ used her influence to funnel business to Elvin “E.R.” Mitchell Jr. and Charles P. Richards Jr. despite her city job having nothing to do with contracting, prosecutors have said. She’s also accused of trying to use money and influence to get contract work from city officials in Jackson, Mississippi.
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