Current:Home > MarketsContract security officers leave jail in Atlanta after nonpayment of contract-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Contract security officers leave jail in Atlanta after nonpayment of contract
View Date:2024-12-23 23:57:55
ATLANTA (AP) — Some security officers at a jail in Atlanta that is under federal investigation walked off the job after the Fulton County sheriff’s office failed to pay money owed to the third-party contractor that employs them, the sheriff’s office said.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that it is facing “a significant budget crisis” and owed an outstanding balance of more than $1 million to Strategic Security Corp. The company notified its employees Thursday afternoon that the contract had ended, that they would be clocked out at 2:15 p.m. and that they should not report to work at the jail going forward.
The sheriff’s office said that “created an immediate safety issue” at the county’s main jail and employees from all divisions were sent to staff the jail.
Sheriff Pat Labat said that nearly 50 of the contract security officers came to the jail Thursday evening and were given conditional offers of employment and some were able to work immediately after completing paperwork. The sheriff’s office did not immediately respond Friday to an email asking how many security officers were working at the jail under the contract.
The U.S. Department of Justice last year opened a civil rights investigation into jail conditions in the county, citing violence and filthy conditions. Federal authorities specifically mentioned the September 2022 death of Lashawn Thompson, one of more than a dozen people who has died in county custody over the last two years. Thompson, 35, died in a bedbug-infested cell in the jail’s psychiatric wing.
A state legislative committee formed last year to examine conditions at the jail concluded last week that more cooperation was needed between top county officials.
Labat has long acknowledged the problems and has called for a new $1.7 billion jail to replace the crumbling main jail on Rice Street. But county commissioners in July voted 4-3 instead for a $300 million project to renovate the existing jail and to build a new building to house inmates with special needs.
veryGood! (68371)
Related
- Mandy Moore Captures the Holiday Vibe With These No Brainer Gifts & Stocking Stuffer Must-Haves
- The Telegram app has been a key platform for Hamas. Now it's being restricted there
- Senegal electoral commission says main opposition leader Sonko should be given sponsorship forms
- Patrick Dempsey watched his mom fight cancer. Now he's giving families the support his needed.
- Melissa Gilbert recalls 'painful' final moment with 'Little House' co-star Michael Landon
- Tropical Storm Pilar dumps heavy rains on Central America leaving at least 2 dead
- Two Missouri men accused of assaulting officers during riot at the U.S. Capitol charged
- 5 Things podcast: Israeli prime minister vows no cease-fire, Donald Trump ahead in Iowa
- Pennsylvania House Republicans pick new floor leader after failing to regain majority
- 5 hostages of Hamas are free, offering some hope to families of more than 200 still captive
Ranking
- Denver district attorney is investigating the leak of voting passwords in Colorado
- Whistleblower says utility should repay $382 million in federal aid given to failed clean coal plant
- Antisemitism policies at public city colleges in New York will be reviewed, the governor says
- Mary Lou Retton issues statement following pneumonia hospitalization: I am forever grateful to you all!
- The charming Russian scene-stealers of 'Anora' are also real-life best friends
- France vows a ‘merciless fight’ against antisemitism after anti-Jewish graffiti is found in Paris
- Business group estimates several hundred thousand clean energy jobs in EV, battery storage and solar
- Powerball winning numbers from Oct. 30 drawing: Jackpot now at $152 million
Recommendation
-
Richard Allen found guilty in the murders of two teens in Delphi, Indiana. What now?
-
New Mexico attorney general accuses landowners of preventing public access to the Pecos River
-
Largest Christian university in US faces record fine after federal probe into alleged deception
-
China keeps up military pressure on Taiwan, sending 43 planes and 7 ships near self-governing island
-
Kevin Costner says he hasn't watched John Dutton's fate on 'Yellowstone': 'Swear to God'
-
Live updates | Foreign passport holders enter Rafah crossing
-
What the James Harden trade means to Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers
-
Credit card debt costs Americans a pretty penny every year. Are there cheaper options?