City of Atlanta fires its human resources chief over ‘preferential treatment’ of her daughter

The glass doors of the Atlanta City Hall, trimmed with gold.

The city of Atlanta fired its head of human resources for abusing her power as a City Hall employee by “encouraging preferential treatment” of her daughter. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Matthew Pearson / WABE

Atlanta’s head of human resources was fired for abusing her power as a City Hall employee by “encouraging preferential treatment” of her daughter, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The Office of Inspector General released a report in May alleging that Tarlesha Smith created a position within the Office of the City Solicitor for her daughter, Bridget Smith. The report finds Smith retaliated against a supervisor who recommended her daughter’s termination.

Atlanta’s City Hall has a history of corruption scandals. Mayor Andre Dickens, who appointed Smith and is presumably running for reelection in 2025, has overseen a mostly clean administration.