Chadwick L. Reese, Joel T. Morris, Bribery and Kickback Scheme, Georgia 2024

SAVANNAH, GA – Chadwick L. Reese, 44, the Executive Director of the Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT), and Joel T. Morris, 53, CAT’s Director of Maintenance, are in hot water after being indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged roles in a bribery and kickback scheme.

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, from April of 2014 to the present, Reese and Morris used their official positions at CAT to enrich themselves by soliciting and accepting cash and other payments in exchange for rigging the award of CAT contracts to selected individuals and companies.

Reese and Morris each face multiple counts of mail fraud and extortion. Each count of mail fraud carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release. Each count of extortion also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

Chadwick L. Reese and Joel T. Morris are accused of engaging in a bribery and kickback scheme, allegedly rigging contracts to enrich themselves.

The case was investigated by the Savannah and Jacksonville offices of the FBI. First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Reese and Morris’s alleged scheme has raised concerns about corruption within the Chatham Area Transit Authority.

Chadwick L. Reese and Joel T. Morris are currently facing multiple counts of mail fraud and extortion. The Defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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