Atlanta Ex-Official Sentenced for Bribery
ATLANTA, Georgia – Adam L. Smith, the former Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Atlanta, has been sentenced to federal prison for conspiring to accept more than $40,000 in bribe payments from a vendor who obtained millions of dollars in city contracts.
As the City of Atlanta’s Chief Procurement Officer, Smith was given great trust and power by its citizens. He chose to serve his own financial interests rather than use that trust to serve the public. His prison sentence is a strong reminder to those tempted to trade their public positions and authority for money – the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will not stand idly by, said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.
The charges against Smith include conspiring to commit bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. He was also found guilty of making false statements on his annual financial disclosure statement, which carries a maximum sentence of 3 years in prison.
According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: From 2003 to February 21, 2017, Smith served as the Chief Procurement Officer for the City of Atlanta, Georgia. As the Chief Procurement Officer, Smith oversaw the City of Atlanta’s purchasing activities and its expenditure of billions of dollars in public money for projects.
During Smith’s tenure as the Chief Procurement Officer, Atlanta awarded contracts worth millions of dollars to a particular vendor’s construction firm and joint venture projects of which the same vendor was a partner. From at least 2015 to January 2017, Smith met privately with the vendor on multiple occasions, frequently at local restaurants. During these meetings, Smith and the vendor discussed Atlanta procurement projects, bids, and solicitations.
Smith was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for his role in the bribery scheme. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $20,000 and to serve 2 years of supervised release after his prison term. The sentence is a strong reminder to those tempted to trade their public positions and authority for money – the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will not stand idly by.
Defendant/Respondent: Adam L. Smith
Criminal Charges: Conspiring to commit bribery and making false statements on his annual financial disclosure statement
City and State: Atlanta, Georgia
Exact Date: February 21, 2017 (end of tenure as Chief Procurement Officer)
Sentence or Outcome: 15 months in federal prison, $20,000 fine, and 2 years of supervised release
Dollar Amounts: $40,000 in bribe payments, millions of dollars in city contracts
Key Facts
- State: Georgia
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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