Illegal Dumping in Atlanta: Georgia DOT Foreman Pleads Guilty

ATLANTA, GA - George H. Bell, a former Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) maintenance foreman, entered a guilty plea in federal court on Friday to accepting bribe payments in exchange for allowing more than 38,000 cubic yards of unsuitable dirt to be dumped at DOT sites in metro-Atlanta.

“As a DOT supervisor, Bell accepted thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for allowing others to dump unsuitable dirt, all at the expense of the environment and the people of this district,” said U. S. Attorney John A. Horn. “His criminal conduct resulted in environmental damage and has already left Georgia taxpayers with a staggering $2.5 million clean-up bill.”

“The Georgia DOT reported the issue and has cooperated fully with all agencies involved in the investigation to ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for these illegal actions,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry.

Bell, a Lithonia resident, worked for the DOT for approximately 15 years. By the end of his career, Bell was an assistant foreman, where he oversaw various transportation projects and the maintenance and repairs of Georgia roads.

From April to December 2014, Bell accepted cash bribe payments from the owners of an unidentified dirt hauling company, and allowed them dump unsuitable dirt at these DOT locations:

• Hugh Howell Road and Stone Mountain Highway, in Stone Mountain;
• North Decatur Road and I-285, in DeKalb County;
• 805 George Luther Drive, in DeKalb County;
• Chamblee Dunwoody Road and I-285, in DeKalb County.

Unsuitable dirt is dirt that is removed during construction or landscaping projects that cannot be built upon in the future. In this case, the dirt contained construction debris, including: nails, concrete fragments, and various pieces of metal.

Bell faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.