Athens, GA. – A matter of public concern was brought to the attention of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) in May 2021 when the Athens-Clarke County Internal Auditor, Stephanie Maddox, filed a discrimination complaint with AADM. The complaint was against Mayor Kelly Girtz and County Manager Blaine Williams in response to their actions towards Auditor Maddox regarding a lawful open records request. After looking further into the matter, AADM believes it is pertinent to bring this matter to the attention of the public for several reasons.
As Internal Auditor, an essential part of Maddox’s duty is to review and investigate all accounts, departments, and operations in our local government to ensure the validity and legality of their financial records and activity. However, Maddox has allegedly experienced retaliation and intimidation from colleagues and other ACC officials—specifically Mayor Girtz and Manager Williams—making it difficult to perform her duties and maintain accountability within our local government.
But, in October 2018, Auditor Maddox submitted an open records request for information regarding the 2018 Athens-Clarke County Compensation Study. Auditor Maddox alleges that Manager Williams interfered with her lawful request and intimidated her into rescinding it. Maddox claims that in early 2019, Mayor Girtz targeted her further for the 2018 records request. Then, in 2020, after a year of working within a culture of fear and intimidation, Auditor Maddox filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) racial discrimination complaint against Mayor Girtz and Manager Williams. The EEOC investigation is still active. The Mayor and Commission is scheduled to decide on her reappointment at a special called meeting on June 15.
As a Charter officer, the Auditor’s job is integral for ensuring justice in all government operations. In 2019, the results of a jail audit revealed several areas in desperate need of improvement and identified key avenues for resolution. This is just one example of why Auditor Maddox’s work is so important to our community; an auditor ensures accountability and transparency. When these duties are obstructed, the entire community suffers as a result.
Auditor Maddox believes that she has been targeted and traumatized by her peers over the past two years simply for doing her job: keeping the government accountable. The AADM will host a press conference with Auditor Maddox to discuss her concerns publicly on Tuesday, June 8th at 12:30pm-2pm in the Athens Regional Library, Room B.
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2016 and based in Athens, Georgia. The group aims to combat discrimination through education and activism. For more information contact admin@aadmovement.org, visit their Facebook @AADMovement, or their Twitter and Instagram @aadmovement706.